Black beauty

Ex Libris
C. K. OGDEN

Y

BLACK BEAUTY

" I WONDER WHO IS COMING IN MY PLACE ?

BLACK BEAUTY

by
ANNA SEWELL

Illustrated in Line by
LUCY KEMP-WELCH

DAILY SKETCH PUBLICATIONS

LONDON

Stack
Annex

10.5
SSUob

TO

MY DEAR AND HONOURED

MOTHER,

WHOSE LIFE, NO LESS THAN HER PEN,

HAS BEEN DEVOTED TO THE

WELFARE OF OTHERS,

THIS LITTLE BOOK

IS AFFECTIONATELY

DEDICATED

CONTENTS
PARTI

CHAPTER

I. MY EARLY HOME . . ' ' .

II. THE HUNT . .

III. MY BREAKING IN ....

IV. BIRTWICK PARK . . .

V. A FAIR START

VI. LIBERTY . . . ...

VII. GINGER

VIII. GINGER'S STORY CONTINUED . ,

IX. MERRYLEGS . . .

X. A TALK IN THE ORCHARD

XL PLAIN SPEAKING . . ...

XII. A STORMY DAY . ....

XIII. THE DEVIL'S TRADE MARK

XIV. JAMES HOWARD ^ ,
XV. THE OLD OSTLER . .

XVI. THE FIRE . ...

XVII. JOHN MANLY'S TALK

XVIII. GOING FOR THE DOCTOR . . .

XIX. ONLY IGNORANCE

XX. JOE GREEN .....

XXI. THE PARTING . . . . .

PART II

XXII. EARLSHALL , • • • • 13*

XXIII. A STRIKE FOR LIBERTY .. . . 137

7

8

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PACK

XXIV. THE LADY ANNE, OR A RUNAWAY

HORSE ..... 142

XXV. REUBEN SMITH .... 151

XXVI. How IT ENDED . . . .157

XXVII. RUINED, AND GOING DOWN-HILL . 162

XXVIII. A JOB HORSE AND HIS DRIVERS . 167

XXIX. COCKNEYS . . . . 173

XXX. A THIEF . . . . . .183

XXXI. A HUMBUG . . . . .187

PART III
XXXII. A HORSE FAIR . • .

XXXIII. A LONDON CAB HORSE

XXXIV. AN OLD WAR HORSE .
XXXV. JERRY BARKER ....

XXXVI. THE SUNDAY CAB . . .
XXXVII. THE GOLDEN RULE .
XXXVIII. DOLLY AND A REAL GENTLEMAN .
XXXIX. SEEDY SAM

XL. POOR GINGER . . . .
XLI. THE BUTCHER
XLII. THE ELECTION • . *v •
XLIII. A FRIEND IN NEED
XLIV. OLD CAPTAIN AND His SUCCESSOR
XLV. JERRY'S NEW YEAR .

PART IV

XL VI. JAKES AND THE LADY . . . 295
XLVII. HARD TIMES . . . .301
XLVIII. FARMER THOROUGHGOOD AND His

GRANDSON WILLIE . . . 308
XLIX. MY LAST HOME .... 315

ILLUSTRATIONS

" I WONDER WHO IS COMING IN MY PLACE ? "

Frontispiece

PAGE

JAMES CAME TO ME WITH HIS ARM BOUND UP 53

THE BRICKLAYER CAME AND PULLED UP A GREAT

MANY BRICKS . . . . . 189

MY DEAR MASTER AND I WERE AT THE HEAD OF

THE LINE ...."".. 213

WE AT LAST REACHED HOME, AND I, AT LEAST

WAS TIRED . . . . . . 271

PART ONE

BLACK BEAUTY

CHAPTER I

MY EARLY HOME

THE first place that I can well remember
was a large pleasant meadow with a pond
of clear water in it. Some shady trees leaned
over it, and rushes and water-lilies grew at the
deep end. Over the hedge on one side we
looked into a ploughed field, and on the other
we looked over a gate at our master's house,
which stood by the roadside ; at the top of the
meadow was a plantation of fir trees, and at
the bottom a running brook overhung by a
steep bank.

Whilst I was young I lived upon my mother's
milk, as I could not eat grass. In the day time
I ran by her side, and at night I lay down close
by her. When it was hot, we used to stand by
the pond in the shade of the trees, and when it
was cold, we had a nice warm shed near the
plantation.

As soon as I was old enough to eat grass, my

13

14 BLACK BEAUTY

mother used to go out to work in the day time,
and came back in the evening.

There were six young colts in the meadow be
sides me ; they were older than I was ; some
were nearly as large as grown-up horses. I used
to run with them, and had great fun ; we used to
gallop all together round and round the field,
as hard as we could go. Sometimes we had
rather rough play, for they would frequently
bite and kick as well as gallop.

One day, when there was a good deal of kick
ing, my mother whinnied to me to come to her,
and then she said :

" I wish you to pay attention to what I am
going to say to you. The colts who live here
are very good colts, but they are cart-horse
colts, and, of course, they have not learned
manners. You have been well bred and well
born ; your father has a great name in these
parts, and your grandfather won the cup two
years at the Newmarket races ; your grand
mother had the sweetest temper of any horse I
ever knew, and I think you have never seen
me kick or bite. I hope you will grow up
gentle and good, and never learn bad ways ; do
your work with a good will, lift your feet up
well when you trot, and never bite or kick even
in play."

BLACK BEAUTY 15

I have never forgotten my mother's advice ;
I knew she was a wise old horse, and our master
thought a great deal of her. Her name was
Duchess, but he often called her Pet.

Our master was a good, kind man. He gave
us good food, good lodging, and kind words ;
he spoke as kindly to us as he did to his little
children. We were all fond of him, and my
mother loved him very much. When she saw
him at the gate, she would neigh with joy, and
trot up to him. He would pat and stroke her
and say, " Well, old Pet, and how is your little
Darkie ? " I was a dull black, so he called me
Darkie ; then he would give me a piece of bread,
which was very good, and sometimes he
brought a carrot for my mother. All the horses
would come to him, but I think we were his
favourites. My mother always took him to the
town on a market day in a light gig.

There was a ploughboy, Dick, who sometimes
came into our field to pluck blackberries from
the hedge. When he had eaten all he wanted,
he would have, what he called, fun with the
colts, throwing stones and sticks at them to
make them gallop. We did not much mind
him, for we could gallop off ; but sometimes a
stone would hit and hurt us.

One day he was at this game, and did not

l6 BLACK BEAUTY

know that the master was in the next field ; but
he was there, watching what was going on:
over the hedge he jumped in a snap, and catch
ing Dick by the arm, he gave him such a box
on the ear as made him roar with the pain and
surprise. As soon as we saw the master, we
trotted up nearer to see what went on.

" Bad boy ! " he said, " bad boy ! to chase
the colts. This is not the first time, nor the
second, but it shall be the last — there — take
your money and go home, I shall not want you
on my farm again." So we never saw Dick
any more. Old Daniel, the man who looked
after the horses, was just as gentle as our
master, so we were well off.

CHAPTER II

THE HUNT

BEFORE I was two years old, a circum
stance happened which I have never for
gotten. It was early in the spring ; there had
been a little frost in the night, and a light
mist still hung over the plantations and
meadows. I and the other colts were feeding
at the lower part of the field when we heard,
quite in the distance, what sounded like the
cry of dogs. The oldest of the colts raised his
head, pricked his ears, and said, " There are
the hounds! " and immediately cantered off,
followed by the rest of us to the upper part of
the field, where we could look over the hedge
and see several fields beyond. My mother, and
an old riding horse of our master's were also
standing near, and seemed to know all about it.
" They have found a hare," said my mother,
" and if they come this way, we shall see the
hunt."

And soon the dogs were all tearing down the
field of young wheat next to ours. I never
heard such a noise as they made. They did

l8 BLACK BEAUTY

not bark, nor howl, nor whine, but kept on a
" yo ! yo, 0,0! yo ! yo, 0,0! " at the top of their
voices. After them came a number of men on
horseback, some of them in green coats, all
galloping as fast as they could. The old horse
snorted and looked eagerly after them, and we
young colts wanted to be galloping with them,
but they were soon away into the fields lower
down ; here it seemed as if they had come to a
stand ; the dogs left off barking, and ran about
every way with their noses to the ground.

" They have lost the scent," said the old
horse ; " perhaps the hare will get off."

"What hare? "I said.

" Oh ! I don't know what hare ; likely enough
it may be one of our own hares out of the plan
tation ; any hare they can find will do for the
dogs and men to run after ; " and before long
the dogs began their " yo ! yo, 0,0! " again, and
back they came altogether at full speed, making
straight for our meadow at the part where the
high bank and hedge overhang the brook.

" Now we shall see the hare," said my
mother ; and just then a hare wild with fright
rushed by, and made for the plantation. On
came the dogs, they burst over the bank, leapt
the stream, and came dashing across the field,
followed by the huntsmen. Six or eight men

BLACK BEAUTY IQ

leaped their horses clean over, close upon the
dogs. The hare tried to get through the fence ;
it was too thick, and she turned sharp round
to make for the road, but it was too late ; the
dogs were upon her with their wild cries ; we
heard one shriek, and that was the end of her.
One of the huntsmen rode up and whipped off
the dogs, who would soon have torn her to
pieces. He held her up by the leg torn and
bleeding, and all the gentlemen seemed well
pleased.

As for me, I was so astonished that I did not
at first see what was going on by the brook ;
but when I did look, there was a sad sight ; two
fine horses were down, one was struggling in
the stream, and the other was groaning on the
grass. One of the riders was getting out of
the water covered with mud, the other lay quite
still.

" His neck is broke," said my mother.

" And serve him right, too," said one of the
colts.

I thought the same, but my mother did not
join with us.

"Well! no," she said, "you must not say
that ; but though I am an old horse, and have
seen and heard a great deal, I never yet could
make out why men are so fond of this sport ;

20 BLACK BEAUTY

they often hurt themselves, often spoil good
horses, and tear up the fields, and all for a hare
or a fox, or a stag, that they could get more
easily some other way ; but we are only horses,
and don't know."

Whilst my mother was saying this, we stood
and looked on. Many of the riders had gone
to the young man ; but my master, who had
been watching what was going on, was the first
to raise him. His head fell back and his arms
hung down, and every one looked very serious.
There was no noise now ; even the dogs were
quiet, and seemed to know that something was
wrong. They carried him to our master's
house. I heard afterwards that it was young
George Gordon, the Squire's only son, a fine,
tall young man, and the pride of his family.

There was now riding off in all directions to
the doctor's, to the farrier's, and no doubt to
Squire Gordon's, to let him know about his son.
When Mr. Bond, the farrier, came to look at
the black horse that lay groaning on the grass,
he felt him all over, and shook his head ; one
of his legs was broken. Then some one ran to
our master's house and came back with a gun ;
presently there was a loud bang and a dreadful
shriek, and then all was still ; the black horse
moved no more.

BLACK BEAUTY 21

My mother seemed much troubled ; she said
she had known that horse for years, and that
his name was " Rob Roy " ; he was a good bold
horse, and there was no vice in him. She never
would go to that part of the field afterwards.

Not many days after, we heard the church
bell tolling for a long time ; and looking over
the gate we saw a long strange black coach that
was covered with black cloth and was drawn
by black horses ; after that came another and
another and another, and all were black, while
the bell kept tolling, tolling. They were carry
ing young Gordon to the churchyard to bury
him. He would never ride again. What they
did with Rob Roy I never knew ; but 'twas all
for one little hare.

CHAPTER III

MY BREAKING IN

I WAS now beginning to grow handsome;
my coat had grown fine and soft, and was
bright black. I had one white foot, and a
pretty white star on my forehead. I was
thought very handsome ; my master would not
sell me till I was four years old ; he said lads
ought not to work like men, and colts ought not
to work like horses till they were quite grown up.

When I was four years old, Squire Gordon
came to look at me. He examined my eyes,
my mouth, and my legs ; he felt them all down ;
and then I had to walk and trot and gallop
before him ; he seemed to like me, and said,
11 When he has been well broken in, he will do
very well." My master said he would break
me in himself, as he should not like me to be
frightened or hurt, and he lost no time about
it, for the next day he began.

Every one may not know what breaking in
is, therefore I will describe it. It means to
teach a horse to wear a saddle and bridle and
to carry on his back a man, woman, or child ;

BLACK BEAUTY 23

to go just the way they wish, and to go quietly.
Besides this, he has to learn to wear a collar,
a crupper, and a breeching, and to stand still
whilst they are put on ; then to have a cart or
a chaise fixed behind him, so that he cannot
walk or trot without dragging it after him : and
he must go fast or slow, just as his driver wishes.
He must never start at what he sees, nor speak
to other horses, nor bite, nor kick, nor have
any will of his own ; but always do his master's
will, even though he may be very tired or
hungry ; but the worst of all is, when his harness
is once on, he may neither jump for joy nor lie
down for weariness. So you see this breaking
in is a great thing.

I had of course long been used to a halter
and a headstall, and to be led about in the field
and lanes quietly, but now I was to have a bit
and a bridle ; my master gave me some oats
as usual, and after a good deal of coaxing, he
got the bit into my mouth, and the bridle fixed,
but it was a nasty thing! Those who have
never had a bit in their mouths cannot think
how bad it feels ; a great piece of cold hard steel
as thick as a man's finger to be pushed into
one's mouth, between one's teeth and over one's
tongue, with the ends coming out at the corner
of your mouth, and held fast there by straps

24 BLACK BEAUTY

over your head, under your throat, round your
nose, and under your chin ; so that no way in
the world can you get rid of the nasty hard
thing ; it is very bad ! yes, very bad ! at least
I thought so ; but I knew my mother always
wore one when she went out, and all horses did
when they were grown up ; and so, what with
the nice oats, and what with my master's pats,
kind words, and gentle ways, I got to wear my
bit and bridle.

Next came the saddle, but that was not half
so bad; my master put it on my back very
gently, whilst old Daniel held my head ; he then
made the girths fast under my body, patting
and talking to me all the time ; then I had a
few oats, then a little leading about, and this
he did every day till I began to look for the oats
and the saddle. At length, one morning my
master got on my back and rode me round the
meadow on the soft grass. It certainly did feel
queer ; but must say I felt rather proud to carry
my master, and as he continued to ride me a
little every day, I soon became accustomed to it.

The next unpleasant business was putting on
the iron shoes ; that too was very hard at first.
My master went with me to the smith's forge,
to see that I was not hurt or got any fright.
The blacksmith took my feet in his hand one

BLACK BEAUTY 25

after the other, and cut away some of the hoof.
It did not pain me, so I stood still on three legs
till he had done them all. Then he took a piece
of iron the shape of my foot, and clapped it on,
and drove some nails through the shoe quite
into my hoof, so that the shoe was firmly on.
My feet felt very stiff and heavy, but in time I
got used to it.

And now having got so far, my master went
on to break me to harness ; there were more
new things to wear. First, a stiff heavy collar
just on my neck, and a bridle with great side-
pieces against my eyes called blinkers, and
blinkers indeed they were, for I could not see
on either side, but only straight in front of me ;
next there was a small saddle with a nasty stiff
strap that went right under my tail ; that was
the crupper. I hated the crupper — to have my
long tail doubled up and poked through that
strap was almost as bad as the bit. I never
felt more like kicking, but of course I could not
kick such a good master, and so in time I got
used to everything, and could do my work as
well as my mother.

I must not forget to mention one part of my
training, which I have always considered a
very great advantage. My master sent me for
a fortnight to a neighbouring farmer's, who had

26 BLACK BEAUTY

a meadow which was skirted on one side by
the railway. Here were some sheep and cows,
and I was turned in amongst them.

I shall never forget the first train that ran by.
I was feeding quietly near the pales which
separated the meadow from the railway, when
I heard a strange sound at a distance, and
before I knew whence it came — with a rush and
a clatter, and a puffing out of smoke — a long
black train of something flew by, and was gone
almost before I could draw my breath. I
turned, and galloped to the further side of the
meadow as fast as I could go, and there I stood
snorting with astonishment and fear. In the
course of the day many other trains went by,
some more slowly ; these drew up at the station
close by, and sometimes made an awful shriek
and groan before they stopped. I thought it
very dreadful, but the cows went on eating
very quietly, and hardly raised their heads as
the black frightful thing came puffing and
grinding past.

For the first few days I could not feed in
peace ; but as I found that this terrible creature
never came into the field, or did me any harm,
I began to disregard it, and very soon I cared
as little about the passing of a train as the cows
and sheep did.

BLACK BEAUTY 27

Since then I have seen many horses much
alarmed and restive at the sight or sound of
a steam engine ; but thanks to my good master's
care, I am as fearless at railway stations as in
my own stable.

Now if any one wants to break in a young
horse well, that is the way.

My master often drove me in double harness
with my mother because she was steady, and
could teach me how to go better than a strange
horse. She told me the better I behaved, the
better I should be treated, and that it was wisest
always to do my best to please my master;
" but," said she, " there are a great many kinds
of men ; there are good, thoughtful men like our
master, that any horse may be proud to serve ;
but there are bad, cruel men, who never ought
to have a horse or dog to call their own.
Beside, there are a great many foolish men,
vain, ignorant, and careless, who never trouble
themselves to think ; these spoil more horses
than all, just for want of sense ; they don't mean
it, but they do it for all that. I hope you will
fall into good hands ; but a horse never knows
who may buy him, or who may drive him ; it
is all a chance for us, but still I say, do your
best wherever it is, and keep up your good
name."

CHAPTER IV

BIRTWICK PARK

AT this time I used to stand in the stable,
and my coat was brushed every day till it
shone like a rook's wing. It was early in May,
when there came a man from Squire Gordon's,
who took me away to the Hall. My master
said, " Good-bye, Darkie ; be a good horse, and
always do your best." I could not say " good
bye," so I put my nose into his hand ; he patted
me kindly, and I left my first home. As I lived
some years with Squire Gordon, I may as well
tell something about the place.

Squire Gordon's Park skirted the village of
Birrwick. It was entered by a large iron gate,
at which stood the first lodge, and then you
trotted along on a smooth road between clumps
of large old trees; then another lodge and
another gate which brought you to the house
and the gardens. Beyond this lay the home
paddock, the old orchard, and the stables.
There was accommodation for many horses
and carriages ; but I need only describe the
stable into which I was taken; this was very

28

BLACK BEAUTY 2Q

roomy, with four good stalls ; a large swinging
window opened into the yard, which made it
pleasant and airy.

The first stall was a large square one, shut in
behind with a wooden gate ; the others were
common stalls, good stalls, but not nearly so
large; it had a low rack for hay and a low
manger for corn ; it was called a loose box,
because the horse that was put into it was not
tied up, but left loose, to do as he liked. It is
a great thing to have a loose box.

Into this fine box the groom put me ; it was
clean, sweet, and airy. I never was in a better
box than that, and the sides were not so high
but that I could see all that went on through
the iron rails that were at the top.

He gave me some very nice oats, he patted
me, spoke kindly, and then went away.

When I had eaten my corn, I teoked round.
In the stall next to mine stood a little fat grey
pony, with a thick mane and tail, a very pretty
head, and a pert little nose.

I put my head up to the iron rails at the top
of my box, and said, " How do you do ? what
is your name ? "

He turned round as far as his halter would
allow, held up his head, and said, " My name
is Merrylegs: I am very handsome, I carry

30 BLACK BEAUTY

the young ladies on my back, and sometimes
I take our mistress out in the low chair. They
think a great deal of me, and so does James.
Are you going to live next door to me in the
box?"

I said, " Yes."

" Well, then," he said, " I hope you are good-
tempered ; I do not like any one next door who
bites."

Just then a horse's head looked over from the
stall beyond ; the ears were laid back, and the
eye looked rather ill-tempered. This was a tall
chestnut mare, with a long handsome neck ; she
looked across to me and said :

" So it is you who have turned me out of my
box ; it is a very strange thing for a colt like
you, to come and turn a lady out of her own
home."

" I beg your pardon," I said, " I have turned
no one out ; the man who brought me put me
here, and I had nothing to do with it ; and as
to my being a colt, I am turned four years old,
and am a grown-up horse : I never had words
yet with horse or mare, and it is my wish to
live at peace."

" Well," she said, " we shall see ; of course I
do not want to have words with a young thing
like you." I said no more.

BLACK BEAUTY 31

In the afternoon when she went out, Merry-
legs told me all about it

" The thing is this," said Merrylegs, " Ginger
has a bad habit of biting and snapping; that
is why they call her Ginger, and when she was
in the loose box, she used to snap very much.
One day she bit James in the arm and made
it bleed, and so Miss Flora and Miss Jessie, who
are very fond of me, were afraid to come into
the stable. They used to bring me nice things
to eat, an apple or a carrot, or a piece of bread,
but after Ginger stood in that box, they dare
not come, and I missed them very much. I
hope they will now come again, if you do not
bite or snap."

I told him I never bit anything but grass,
hay, and corn, and could not think what
pleasure Ginger found it.

" Well, I don't think she does find pleasure,"
says Merrylegs ; "it is just a bad habit ; she
says no one was ever kind to her, and why
should she not bite? Of course it is a very
bad habit ; but I am sure, if all she says be true,
she must have been very ill-used before she
came here. John does all he can to please her,
and James does all he can, and our master
never uses a whip if a horse acts right; so I
think she might be good-tempered here; you

32 BLACK BEAUTY

see," he said with a wise look, " I am twelve
years old ; I know a great deal, and I can tell
you there is not a better place for a horse all
round the country than this. John is the best
groom that ever was, he has been here fourteen
years ; and you never saw such a kind boy as
James is, so that it is all Ginger's own fault
that she did not stay in that box."

CHAPTER V

A FAIR START

THE name of the coachman was John
Manly ; he had a wife and one little child,
and they lived in the coachman's cottage, very
near the stables.

The next morning he took me into the yard
and gave me a good grooming, and just as I
was going into my box with my coat soft and
bright, the Squire came in to look at me, and
seemed pleased. " John," he said, " I meant
to have tried the new horse this morning, but
I have other business. You may as well take
him a round after breakfast ; go by the common
and the Highwood, and back by the water-mill
and the river, that will show his paces."

" I will, sir," said John. After breakfast he
came and fitted me with a bridle. He was very
particular in letting out and taking in the
straps, to fit my head comfortable ; then he
brought the saddle, that was not broad enough
for my back ; he saw it in a minute and went
for another, which fitted nicely. He rode me
first slowly, then a trot, then a canter, and when
32 33

34 BLACK BEAUTY

we were on the common he gave me a light
touch with his whip, and we had a splendid
gallop.

" Ho, ho ! my boy," he said, as he pulled me
up, " you would like to follow the hounds, I
think."

As we came back through the Park we met
the Squire and Mrs. Gordon walking; they
stopped, and John jumped off.

" Well, John, how does he go ? "

" First-rate, sir," answered John, " he is as
fleet as a deer, and has a fine spirit too ; but the
lightest touch of the rein will guide him. Down
at the end of the common we met one of those
travelling carts hung all over with baskets, rugs,
and such like ; you know, sir, many horses will
not pass those carts quietly ; he just took a good
look at it, and then went on as quiet and
pleasant as could be. They were shooting rab
bits near the Highwood, and a gun went off
close by ; he pulled up a little and looked, but
did not stir a step to right or left. I just held
the rein steady and did not hurry him, and
it's my opinion he has not been frightened or
ill-used while he was young."

" That's well," said the Squire, " I will try
him myself to-morrow."

The next day I was brought up for my

BLACKBEAUTY 35

master. I remembered my mother's counsel
and my good old master's, and I tried to do
exactly what he wanted me to do. I found he
was a very good rider, and thoughtful for his
horse too. When we came home, the lady
was at the hall door as he rode up.

" Well, my dear," she said, " how do you like
him?"

" He is exactly what John said," he replied ;
" a pleasanter creature I never wish to mount.
What shall we call him ? "

" Would you like Ebony ? " said she, " he
is as black as ebony."

" No, not Ebony."

" Will you call him Blackbird, like your
uncle's old horse ? "

" No, he is far handsomer than old Blackbird
ever was."

" Yes," she said, " he is really quite a beauty,
and he has such a sweet good-tempered face
and such a fine intelligent eye — what do you
say to calling him Black Beauty ? "

" Black Beauty — why, yes, I think that is a
very good name. If you like it shall be his
name," and so it was.

When John went into the stable, he told
James that master and mistress had chosen a
good sensible English name for me, that meant

36 BLACK BEAUTY

something, not like Marengo, or Pegasus, or
Abdallah. They both laughed, and James
said, " If it was not for bringing back the past,
I should have named him Rob Roy, for I never
saw two horses more alike."

" That's no wonder," said John, " didn't you
know that Farmer Grey's old Duchess was the
mother of them both ? "

I had never heard that before, and so poor
Rob Roy who was killed at that hunt was my
brother! I did not wonder that my mother
was so troubled. It seems that horses have
no relations ; at least, they never know each
other after they are sold.

John seemed very proud of me : he used to
make my mane and tail almost as smooth as a
lady's hair, and he would talk to me a great
deal ; of course I did not understand all he said,
but I learned more and more to know what he
meant, and what he wanted me to do. I grew
very fond of him, he was so gentle and kind,
he seemed to know just how a horse feels, and
when he cleaned me, he knew the tender places,
and the ticklish places; when he brushed my
head, he went as carefully over my eyes as if
they were his own, and never stirred up any
ill-temper.

James Howard, the stable boy, was just as

BLACK BEAUTY 37

gentle and pleasant in his way, so I thought
myself well off. There was another man who
helped in the yard, but he had very little to do
with Ginger and me.

A few days after this I had to go out with
Ginger in the carriage. I wondered how we
should get on together ; but except laying her
ears back when I was led up to her, she be
haved very well. She did her work honestly,
and did her full share, and I never wish to have
a better partner in double harness. When we
came to a hill, instead of slackening her pace,
she would throw her weight right into the collar,
and pull away straight up. We had both the
same sort of courage at our work, and John
had oftener to hold us in, than to urge us for
ward ; he never had to use the whip with either
of us ; then our paces were much the same, and
I found it very easy to keep step with her when
trotting, which made it pleasant, and master
always liked it when we. kept step well, and so
did John. After we had been out two or three
times together we grew quite friendly and
sociable, which made me feel very much at
home.

As for Merrylegs, he and I soon became great
friends ; he was such a cheerful, plucky, good-
tempered little fellow, that he was a favourite

38 BLACK BEAUTY

with every one, and especially with Miss Jessie
and Flora, who used to ride him about in the
orchard, and have fine games with him and
their little dog Frisky.

Our master had two other horses that stood
in another stable. One was Justice, a roan cob,
used for riding, or for the luggage cart; the
other was an old brown hunter, named Sir
Oliver ; he was past work now, but was a great
favourite with the master, who gave him the
run of the Park ; he sometimes did a little light
carting on the estate, or carried one of the young
ladies when they rode out with their father ; for
he was very gentle, and could be trusted with
a child as well as Merrylegs. The cob was a
strong, well-made, good-tempered horse, and
we sometimes had a little chat in the paddock,
but of course I could not be so intimate with
him as with Ginger, who stood in the same
stable.

CHAPTER VI

LIBERTY

I WAS quite happy in my new place, and if
there was one thing that I missed, it must not
be thought I was discontented ; all who had to
do with me were good, and I had a light airy
stable and the best of food. What more could I
want ? Why, liberty ! For three years and a
half of my life I had had all the liberty I could
wish for ; but now, week after week, month after
month, and no doubt year after year, I must
stand up in a stable night and day except when
I am wanted, and then I must be just as steady
and quiet as any old horse who has worked
twenty years. Straps here and straps there, a
bit in my mouth, and blinkers over my eyes.
Now, I am not complaining, for I know it must
be so. I only mean to say that for a young
horse full of strength and spirits who has been
used to some large field or plain, where he can
fling up his head, and toss up his tail and gallop
away at full speed, then round and back again
with a snort to his companions — I say it is hard
never to have a bit more liberty to do as you

39

4O BLACK BEAUTY

like. Sometimes, when I have had less exercise
than usual, I have felt so full of life and spring,
that when John has taken me out to exercise, I
really could not keep quiet ; do what I would,
it seemed as if I must jump, or dance, or prance,
and many a good shake I know I must have
given him, specially at the first; but he was
always good and patient.

"Steady, steady, my boy," he would say;
" wait a bit, and we'll have a good swing, and
soon get the tickle out of your feet." Then as
soon as we were out of the village, he would
give me a few miles at a spanking trot, and then
bring me back as fresh as before, only clear of
the fidgets, as he called them. Spirited horses,
when not enough exercised, are often called
skittish, when it is only play ; and some grooms
will punish them, but our John did not, he knew
it was only high spirits. Still, he had his own
ways of making me understand by the tone of
his voice or the touch of the rein. If he was
very serious and quite determined, I always
knew it by his voice, and that had more power
with me than anything else, for I was very fond
of him.

I ought to say, that sometimes we had our
liberty for a few hours ; this used to be on fine
Sundays in the summer-time. The carriage

BLACKBEAUTY 41

never went out on Sundays, because the church
was not far off.

It was a great treat to us to be turned out into
the Home Paddock or the old orchard. The
grass was so cool and soft to our feet ; the air so
sweet, and the freedom to do as we liked was so
pleasant ; to gallop, to lie down, and roll over on
our backs, or to nibble the sweet grass. Then it
was a very good time for talking, as we stood
together under the shade of the large chestnut
tree.

32*

CHAPTER VII

GINGER

ONE day when Ginger and I were standing
alone in the shade we had a great deal of
talk ; she wanted to know all about my bring
ing up and breaking in, and I told her.

" Well," said she, " if I had had your bringing
up I might have been as good a temper as you
are, but now I don't believe I ever shall."

"Why not?" I said.

" Because it has been all so different with
me," she replied ; " I never had any one, horse
or man, that was kind to me, or that I cared to
please ; for in the first place I was taken from
my mother as soon as I was weaned, and put
with a lot of other young colts : none of them
cared for me, and I cared for none of them.
There was no kind master like yours to look
after me, and talk to me, and bring me nice
things to eat. The man that had the care of us
never gave me a kind word in my life. I do not
mean that he ill-used me, but he did not care for
us one bit further than to see that we had plenty
to eat and shelter in the winter.

42

BLACKBEAUTY 43

" A footpath ran through our field, and very
often the great boys passing through would fling
stones to make us gallop. I was never hit, but
one fine young colt was badly cut in the face,
and I should think it would be a scar for life.
We did not care for them, but of course it made
us more wild, and we settled it in our minds that
boys were our enemies.

" We had very good fun in the free meadows,
galloping up and down and chasing each other
round and round the field ; then standing still
under the shade of the trees. But when it came
to breaking in, that was a bad time for me ;
several men came to catch me, and when at last
they closed me in at one corner of the field, one
caught me by the forelock, another caught me
by the nose, and held it so tight I could hardly
draw my breath ; then another took my under
jaw in his hard hand and wrenched my mouth
open, and so by force they got on the halter and
the bar into my mouth ; then one dragged me
along by the halter, another flogging behind,
and this was the first experience I had of men's
kindness, it was all force ; they did not give me
a chance to know what they wanted. I was
high bred and had a great deal of spirit, and
was very wild, no doubt, and gave them I dare
say plenty of trouble, but then it was dreadful

44 BLACK BEAUTY

to be shut up in a stall day after day instead of
having my liberty, and I fretted and pined and
wanted to get loose. You know yourself, it's
bad enough when you have a kind master and
plenty of coaxing, but there was nothing of
that sort for me.

" There was one — the old master, Mr. Ryder,
who I think could soon have brought me round,
and could have done anything with me, but he
had given up all the hard part of the trade to his
son and to another experienced man, and he
only came at times to oversee. His son was a
strong, tall, bold man ; they called him Samson,
and he used to boast that he had never found
a horse that could throw him. There was no
gentleness in him as there was in his father, but
only hardness, a hard voice, a hard eye, a hard
hand, and I felt from the first that what he
wanted was to wear all the spirit out of me, and
just make me into a quiet, humble, obedient
piece of horse-flesh. ' Horse-flesh ! ' Yes, that
is all that he thought about," and Ginger
stamped her foot as if the very thought of him
made her angry.

She went on : " If I did not do exactly what
he wanted, he would get put out, and make me
run round with that long rein in the training
field till he had tired me out. I think he drank

BLACK BEAUTY 45

a good deal, and I am quite sure that the oftener
he drank the worse it was for me. One day he
had worked me hard in every way he could,
and when I laid down I was tired and miserable
and angry; it all seemed so hard. The next
morning he came for me early, and ran me
round again for a long time. I had scarcely
had an hour's rest, when he came again for me
with a saddle and bridle and a new kind of bit.
I could never quite tell how it came about ; he
had only just mounted me on the training
ground, when something I did put him out of
temper, and he chucked me hard with the rein.
The new bit was very painful, and I reared up
suddenly, which angered him still more, and
he began to flog me. I felt my whole spirit set
against him, and I began to kick, and plunge,
and rear as I had never done before, and we
had a regular fight : for a long time he stuck to
the saddle and punished me cruelly with his
whip and spurs, but my blood was thoroughly
up, and I cared for nothing he could do if only
I could get him off. At last, after a terrible
struggle, I threw him off backwards. I heard
him fall heavily on the turf, and without looking
behind me, I galloped off to the other end of the
field ; there I turned round and saw my perse
cutor slowly rising from the ground and going

46 BLACK BEAUTY

into the stable. I stood under an oak tree and
watched, but no one came to catch me. The
time went on, the sun was very hot, the flies
swarmed round me, and settled on my bleeding
flanks where the spurs had dug in. I felt
hungry, for I had not eaten since the early
morning, but there was not enough grass in that
meadow for a goose to live on. I wanted to lie
down and rest, but with the saddle strapped
tightly on, there was no comfort, and there was
not a drop of water to drink. The afternoon
wore on, and the sun got low. I saw the other
colts led in, and I knew they were having a
good feed.

" At last, just as the sun went down, I saw the
old master come out with a sieve in his hand.
He was a very fine old gentleman with quite
white hair, but his voice was what I should
know him by amongst a thousand. It was not
high, nor yet low, but full, and clear, and kind,
and when he gave orders it was so steady and
decided, that every one knew, both horses and
men, that he expected to be obeyed. He came
quietly along, now and then shaking the oats
about that he had in the sieve, and speaking
cheerfully and gently to me, ' Come along,
lassie, come along, lassie ; come along, come
along.' I stood still and let him come up ; he

BLACK BEAUTY 47

held the oats to me and I began to eat without
fear; his voice took all my fear away. He
stood by, patting and stroking me whilst I was
eating, and seeing the clots of blood on my side
he seemed very vexed ; ' Poor lassie ! it was a
bad business, a bad business ! ' then he quietly
took the rein and led me to the stable ; just at
the door stood Samson. I laid my ears back
and snapped at him. ' Stand back/ said the
master, ' and keep out of her way ; you've done
a bad day's work for this filly.' He growled out
something about a vicious brute. ' Hark ye,'
said the father, ' a bad-tempered man will never
make a good-tempered horse. You've not
learned your trade yet, Samson.' Then he led
me into my box, took off the saddle and bridle
with his own hands and tied me up; then he
called for a pail of warm water and a sponge,
took off his coat, and while the stable man held
the pail, he sponged my sides a good while so
tenderly that I was sure he knew how sore and
bruised they were. ' Whoa ! my pretty one/
he said, ' stand still, stand still.' His very voice
did me good, and the bathing was very comfort
able. The skin was so broken at the corners of
my mouth that I could not eat the hay, the
stalks hurt me. He looked closely at it, shook
his head, and told the man to fetch a good

48 BLACK BEAUTY

bran mash and put some meal into it. How
good that mash was ! and so soft and healing
to my mouth. He stood by all the time I was
eating, stroking me and talking to the man.
' If a high-mettled creature like this/ said he,
' can't be broken in by fair means, she will
never be good for anything/

" After that he often came to see me, and
when my mouth was healed, the other breaker,
Job they called him, went on training me ; he
was steady and thoughtful, and I soon learned
what he wanted."

CHAPTER VIII

GINGER'S STORY CONTINUED

next time that Ginger and I were to-
gether in the paddock, she told me about
her first place.

"After my breaking in," she said, "I was
bought by a dealer to match another chestnut
horse. For some weeks he drove us together,
and then we were sold to a fashionable gentle
man, and were sent up to London. I had been
driven with a bearing rein by the dealer, and I
hated it worse than anything else ; but in this
place we were reined far tighter ; the coachman
and his master thinking we looked more stylish
so. We were often driven about in the Park
and other fashionable places. You who never
had a bearing rein on, don't know what it is,
but I can tell you it is dreadful.

" I like to toss my head about, and hold it as
high as any horse ; but fancy now yourself, if
you tossed your head up high and were obliged
to hold it there, and that for hours together, not
able to move it at all, except with a jerk still
higher, your neck aching till you did not know

49

5O BLACK BEAUTY

how to bear it. Beside that, to have two bits
instead of one ; and mine was a sharp one, it
hurt my tongue and my jaw, and the blood from
my tongue coloured the froth that kept flying
from my lips, as I chafed and fretted at the bits
and rein ; it was worse when we had to stand
by the hour waiting for our mistress at some
grand party or entertainment ; and if I fretted
or stamped with impatience the whip was laid
on. It was enough to drive one mad."

" Did not your master take any thought for
you ? " I said.

" No," said she, " he only cared to have a
stylish turn-out, as they call it ; I think he knew
very little about horses, he left that to his coach
man, who told him I was an irritable temper ;
that I had not been well broken to the bearing
rein, but I should soon get used to it ; but he
was not the man to do it, for when I was in the
stable, miserable and angry, instead of being
soothed and quieted by kindness, I got only a
surly word or a blow. If he had been civil, I
would have tried to bear it. I was willing to
work, and ready to work hard too ; but to be
tormented for nothing but their fancies angered
me. What right had they to make me suffer
like that? Besides the soreness in my mouth
and the pain in my neck, it always made my

BLACK BEAUTY 51

windpipe feel bad, and if I had stopped there
long, I know it would have spoiled my breath
ing; but I grew more and more restless and
irritable, I could not help it; and I began to
snap and kick when any one came to harness
me ; for this the groom beat me, and one day,
as they had just buckled us into the carriage,
and were straining my head up with that rein,
I began to plunge and kick with all my might.
I soon broke a lot of harness, and kicked myself
clear ; so that was an end of that place.

"After this, I was sent to Tattersall's to be
sold ; of course I could not be warranted free
from vice, so nothing was said about that. My
handsome appearance and good paces soon
brought a gentleman to bid for me, and I was
bought by another dealer ; he tried me in all
kinds of ways and with different bits, and soon
found out what I could bear. At last he drove
me quite without a bearing rein, and then sold
me as a perfectly quiet horse to a gentleman in
the country ; he was a good master, and I was
getting on very well, but his old groom left him
and a new one came. This man was as hard-
tempered and hard-handed as Samson; he
always spoke in a rough, impatient voice, and
if I did not move in the stall the moment he
wanted me, he would hit me above the hocks

52 BLACK BEAUTY

with his stable broom or the fork, whichever he
might have in his hand. Everything he did was
rough, and I began to hate him ; he wanted to
make me afraid of him, but I was too high-
mettled for that; and one day when he had
aggravated me more than usual, I bit him,
which of course put him in a great rage, and he
began to hit me about the head with a riding
whip. After that, he never dared to come into
my stall again, either my heels or my teeth were
ready for him, and he knew it. I was quite
quiet with my master, but of course he listened
to what the man said, and so I was sold again.

" The same dealer heard of me, and said he
thought he knew one place where I should do
well. ' 'Twas a pity/ he said, ' that such a fine
horse should go to the bad, for want of a real
good chance/ and the end of it was that I came
here not long before you did ; but I had then
made up my mind, that men were my natural
enemies, and that I must defend myself. Of
course it is very different here, but who knows
how long it will last? I wish I could think
about things as you do ; but I can't after all I
have gone through."

" Well," I said, " I think it would be a real
shame if you were to bite or kick John or
James."

BLACK BEAUTY 55

" I don't mean to," she said, " while they are
good to me. I did bite James once pretty sharp,
but John said, ' Try her with kindness/ and in
stead of punishing me as I expected, James
came to me with his arm bound up, and brought
me a bran mash and stroked me ; and I have
never snapped at him since, and I won't either."

I was sorry for Ginger, but of course I knew
very little then, and I thought most likely she
made the worst of it ; however, I found that as
the weeks went on, she grew much more gentle
and cheerful, and had lost the watchful, defiant
look that she used to turn on any strange person
who came near her ; and one day James said,
" I do believe that mare is getting fond of me,
she quite whinnied after me this morning when
I had been rubbing her forehead."

" Aye, aye, Jim, 'tis the Birtwick balls," said
John, " she'll be as good as Black Beauty by
and bye ; kindness is all the physic she wants,
poor thing! ' Master noticed the change too,
and one day when he got out of the carriage and
came to speak to us as he often did, he stroked
her beautiful neck, " Well, my pretty one, well,
how do things go with you now ? you are a good
bit happier than when you came to us, I think."

She put her nose up to him in a friendly, trust
ful way, while he rubbed it gently.

56 BLACK BEAUTY

"We shall make a cure of her, John," he
said.

" Yes, sir, she's wonderfully improved, she's
not the same creature that she was ; it's the Birt-
wick balls, sir," said John, laughing.

This was a little joke of John's ; he used to
say that a regular course of the Birtwick horse-
balls would cure almost any vicious horse;
these balls, he said, were made up of patience
and gentleness, firmness and petting, one pound
of each to be mixed up with half-a-pint of com
mon-sense, and given to the horse every day.

CHAPTER IX

MERRYLEGS

MR. BLOMEFIELD, the Vicar, had a large
family of boys and girls ; sometimes they
used to come and play with Miss Jessie and
Flora. One of the girls was as old as Miss
Jessie ; two of the boys were older, and there
were several little ones. When they came, there
was plenty of work for Merrylegs, for nothing
pleased them so much as getting on him by
turns and riding him all about the orchard and
the home paddock, and this they would do by
the hour together.

One afternoon he had been out with them a
long time, and when James brought him in and
put on his halter, he said :

" There, you rogue, mind how you behave
yourself, or we shall get into trouble."

" What have you been doing, Merrylegs ? " I
asked.

"Oh! " said he, tossing his little head, "I
have only been giving those young people a
lesson, they did not know when they had had
enough, nor when I had had enough, so I just

57

58 BLACK BEAUTY

pitched them off backwards, that was the only
thing they could understand."

"What? " said I, "you threw the children
off ? I thought you did know better than that !
Did you throw Miss Jessie or Miss Flora ? "
He looked very much offended, and said :
" Of course not, I would not do such a thing
for the best oats that ever came into the stable ;
why, I am as careful of our young ladies as
the master could be, and as for the little ones,
it is I who teach them to ride. When they
seem frightened or a little unsteady on my back,
I go as smooth and as quiet as old pussy when
she is after a bird ; and when they are all right,
I go on again faster, you see, just to use them
to it; so don't you trouble yourself preaching
to me ; I am the best friend, and the best riding
master those children have. It is not them, it
is the boys ; boys," said he, shaking his mane,
" are quite different ; they must be broken in,
as we were broken in when we were colts, and
just be taught what's what. The other children
had ridden me about for nearly two hours, and
then the boys thought it was their turn, and so
it was, and I was quite agreeable. They rode
me by turns, and I galloped them about up and
down the fields and all about the orchard for
. a good hour. They had each cut a great hazel

BLACK BEAUTY 59

stick for a riding whip, and laid it on a little
too hard ; but I took it in good part, till at last
I thought we had had enough, so I stopped two
or three times by way of a hint. Boys, you see,
think a horse or pony is like a steam engine or
a thrashing machine, and can go on as long and
as fast as they please ; they never think that a
pony can get tired, or have any feelings ; so as
the one who was whipping me could not under
stand, I just rose up on my hind legs and let
him slip off behind — that was all ; he mounted
me again, and I did the same. Then the other
boy got up, and as soon as he began to use
his stick I laid him on the grass, and so on, till
they were able to understand, that was all.
They are not bad boys ; they don't wish to be
cruel. I like them very well ; but you see I
had to give them a lesson. When they brought
me to James and told him, I think he was very
angry to see such big sticks. He said they
were only fit for drovers or gipsies, and not for
young gentlemen."

" If I had been you," said Ginger, " I would
have given those boys a good kick, and that
would have given them a lesson."

" No doubt you would," said Merrylegs, " but
then I am not quite such a fool (begging your
pardon) as to anger our master or make James

DO BLACK BEAUTY

ashamed of me; besides, those children are
under my charge when they are riding ; I tell
you they are entrusted to me. Why, only the
other day I heard our master say to Mrs.
Blomefield, ' My dear madam, you need not be
anxious about the children, my old Merrylegs
will take as much care of them as you or I
could : I assure you I would not sell that pony
for any money, he is so perfectly good-tempered
and trustworthy ' ; and do you think I am such
an ungrateful brute as to forget all the kind
treatment I have had here for five years, and
all the trust they place in me, and turn vicious
because a couple of ignorant boys used me
badly ? No ! no ! you never had a good place
where they were kind to you ; and so you don't
know, and I'm sorry for you, but I can tell you
good places make good horses. I wouldn't vex
our people for anything; I love them, I do,"
said Merrylegs, and he gave a low " ho, ho, ho,"
through his nose, as he used to do in the morn
ing when he heard James's footstep at the door.
" Besides," he went on, " if I took to kicking,
where should I be ? Why, sold off in a jiffy, and
no character, and I might find myself slaved
about under a butcher's boy, or worked to death
at some seaside place where no one cared for
me, except to find out how fast I could go, or

BLACK BEAUTY 6l

be flogged alone in some cart with three or four
great men in it going out for a Sunday spree, as
I have often seen in the place I lived in before
I came here ; no," said he, shaking his head, " I
hope I shall never come to that."

CHAPTER X

A TALK IN THE ORCHARD

GINGER and I were not of the regular tall
carriage horse breed, we had more of the
racing blood in us. We stood about fifteen and
a half hands high; we were therefore just as
good for riding as we were for driving, and our
master used to say that he disliked either horse
or man that could do but one thing ; and as he
did not want to show off in London parks, he
preferred a more active and useful kind of
horse. As for us, our greatest pleasure was
when we were saddled for a riding party ; the
master on Ginger, the mistress on me, and the
young ladies on Sir Oliver and Merrylegs. It
was so cheerful to be trotting and cantering all
together, that it always put us in high spirits.
I had the best of it, for I always carried the
mistress ; her weight was little, her voice was
sweet, and her hand was so light on the rein,
that I was guided almost without feeling it.

Oh ! if people knew what a comfort to horses
a light hand is, and how it keeps a good mouth
and a good temper, they surely would not

62

BLACK BEAUTY 63

chuck, and drag, and pull at the rein as they
often do. Our mouths are so tender, that where
they have not been spoiled or hardened with
bad or ignorant treatment, they feel the slightest
movement of the driver's hand, and we know
in an instant what is required of us. My mouth
had never been spoiled, and I believe that was
why the mistress preferred me to Ginger,
although her paces were certainly quite as good.
She used often to envy me, and said it was all
the fault of breaking in, and the gag bit in
London, that her mouth was not so perfect as
mine ; and then old Sir Oliver would say,
" There, there ! don't vex yourself ; you have
the greatest honour ; a mare that can carry a
tall man of our master's weight, with all your
spring and sprightly action, does not need to
hold her head down because she does not carry
the lady ; we horses must take things as they
come, and always be contented and willing so
long as we are kindly used."

I had often wondered how it was, that Sir
Oliver had such a very short tail ; it really was
only six or seven inches long, with a tassel of
hair hanging from it ; and on one of our holi
days in the orchard I ventured to ask him by
what accident it was that he had lost his tail.
" Accident ! " he snorted with a fierce look, " it

64 BLACK BEAUTY

was no accident ! it was a cruel, shameful, cold
blooded act ! When I was young I was taken
to a place where these cruel things were done ;
I was tied up, and made fast so that I could not
stir, and then they came and cut off my long
beautiful tail, through the flesh, and through
the bone, and took it away/'

" How dreadful ! " I exclaimed.

" Dreadful ! ah ! it was dreadful ; but it was
not only the pain, though that was terrible and
lasted a long time ; it was not only the indignity
of having my best ornament taken from me,
though that was bad ; but it was this, how could
I ever brush the flies off my sides and my hind
legs any more ? You who have tails just whisk
the flies off without thinking about it, and you
can't tell what a torment it is to have them
settle upon you and sting and sting, and have
nothing in the world to lash them off with. I
tell you it is a life-long wrong, and a life-long
loss; but thank Heaven! they don't do it
now."

" What did they do it for then ? " said Ginger.

" For fashion ! " said the old horse with a
stamp of his foot ; " for fashion ! if you know
what that means; there was not a well-bred
young horse in my time that had not his tail
docked in that shameful way, just as if the good

BLACK BEAUTY 65

God that made us did not know what we wanted
and what looked best"

" I suppose it is fashion that makes them
strap our heads up with those horrid bits that I
was tortured with in London," said Ginger.

"Of course it is," said he; "to my mind,
fashion is one of the wickedest things in the
world. Now look, for instance, at the way they
serve dogs, cutting off their tails to make them
look plucky, and shearing up their pretty little
ears to a point to make them look sharp, for
sooth. I had a dear friend once, a brown ter
rier — ' Skye,' they called her ; she was so fond
of me that she never would sleep out of my
stall ; she made her bed under the manger, and
there she had a litter of five as pretty little
puppies as need be ; none were drowned, for
they were a valuable kind, and how pleased she
was with them ! and when they got their eyes
open and crawled about, it was a real pretty
sight ; but one day the man came and took them
all away ; I thought he might be afraid I should
tread upon them. But it was not so; in the
evening poor Skye brought them back again,
one by one in her mouth ; not the happy little
things that they were, but bleeding and crying
pitifully ; they had all had a piece of their tails
cut off, and the soft flap of their pretty little ears

33

66 BLACK BEAUTY

was cut quite off. How their mother licked
them, and how troubled she was, poor thing!
I never forgot it. They healed in time, and
they forgot the pain, but the nice soft flap that
of course was intended to protect the delicate
part of their ears from dust and injury, was
gone for ever. Why don't they cut their own
children's ears into points to make them look
sharp? why don't they cut the end off their
noses to make them look plucky ? One would
be just as sensible as the other. What right
have they to torment and disfigure God's
creatures ? "

Sir Oliver, though he was so gentle, was a
fiery old fellow, and what he said was all so
new to me and so dreadful, that I found a bitter
feeling toward men rise up in my mind that I
had never had before. Of course Ginger was
much excited; she flung up her head with
flashing eyes, and distended nostrils, declaring
that men were both brutes and blockheads.

" Who talks about blockheads ? " said Merry-
legs, who just came up from the old apple tree,
where he had been rubbing himself against the
low branch; "Who talks about blockheads?
I believe that is a bad word."

" Bad words were made for bad things," said
Ginger, and she told him what Sir Oliver had

BLACK BEAUTY 67

said. " It is all true," said Merrylegs sadly,
." and I've seen that about the dogs over and
over again where I lived first; but we won't
talk about it here. You know that master, and
John, and James are always good to us, and
talking against men in such a place as this
doesn't seem fair or grateful, and you know
there are good masters and good grooms besides
ours, though of course ours are the best." This
wise speech of good little Merrylegs, which we
knew was quite true, cooled us all down,
specially Sir Oliver, who was dearly fond of his
master ; and to turn the subject I said, " Can
any one tell me the use of blinkers ? "

" No ! " said Sir Oliver, shortly, " because
they are no use."

" They are supposed," said Justice in his calm
way, " to prevent horses from shying and start
ing and getting so frightened as to cause acci
dents."

" Then what is the reason they do not put
them on riding horses ; especially on ladies'
horses ? " said I.

" There is no reason at all," said he quietly,
" except the fashion ; they say that a horse
would be so frightened to see the wheels of his
own cart or carriage coming behind him, that
he would be sure to run away, although of

68 BLACK BEAUTY

course when he is ridden, he sees them all about
him if the streets are crowded. I admit they do
sometimes come too close to be pleasant, but we
don't run away ; we are used to it, and under
stand it, and if we had never had blinkers put
on, we should never want them ; we should see
what was there, and know what was what, and
be much less frightened than by only seeing
bits of things, that we can't understand."

Of course there may be some nervous horses
who have been hurt or frightened when they
were young, and may be the better for them,
but as I never was nervous, I can't judge.

" I consider," said Sir Oliver, " that blinkers
are dangerous things in the night; we horses
can see much better in the dark than man can,
and many an accident would never have hap
pened if horses might have had the full use of
their eyes. Some years ago, I remember, there
was a hearse with two horses returning one dark
night, and just by Farmer Sparrow's house,
where the pond is close to the road, the wheels
went too near the edge, and the hearse was
overturned into the water ; both the horses were
drowned, and the driver hardly escaped. Of
course after this accident a stout white rail was
put up that might be easily seen, but if those
horses had not been partly blinded, they would

BLACKBEAUTY 69

of themselves have kept farther from the edge,
and no accident would have happened. When
our master's carriage was overturned, before
you came here, it was said, that if the lamp on
the left side had not gone out, John would have
seen the great hole that the road makers had
left ; and so he might, but if old Colin had not
had blinkers on, he would have seen it, lamp or
no lamp, for he was far too knowing an old
horse to run into danger. As it was, he was
very much hurt, the carriage was broken, and
how John escaped nobody knew."

" I should say," said Ginger, curling her nos
tril, "that these men, who are so wise, had better
give orders, that in future all foals should be
born with their eyes set just in the middle of
their foreheads, instead of on the side; they
always think they can improve upon Nature
and mend what God has made."

Things were getting rather sore again, when
Merrylegs held up his knowing little face and
said, " I'll tell you a secret ; I believe John does
not approve of blinkers ; I heard him talking
with master about it one day. The master said,
that ' if horses had been used to them, it might
be dangerous in some cases to leave them off/
and John said he thought it would be a good
thing if all colts were broken in without

70 BLACK BEAUTY

blinkers, as was the case in some foreign coun
tries ; so let us cheer up, and have a run to the
other end of the orchard ; I believe the wind has
blown down some apples, and we might just
as well eat them as the slugs."

Merrylegs could not be resisted, so we broke
off our long conversation, and got up our spirits
by munching some very sweet apples which lay
scattered on the grass.

CHAPTER XI

PLAIN SPEAKING

THE longer I lived at Birtwick, the more
proud and happy I felt at having such a
place. Our master and mistress were respected
and beloved by all who knew them ; they were
good and kind to everybody and everything;
not only men and women, but horses and
donkeys, dogs and cats, cattle and birds ; there
was no oppressed or ill-used creature that had
not a friend in them, and their servants took the
same tone. If any of the village children were
known to treat any creature cruelly, they soon
heard about it from the Hall.

The Squire and Farmer Grey had worked to
gether, as they said, for more than twenty years,
to get bearing reins on the cart horses done
away with, and in our parts you seldom saw
them ; but sometimes if mistress met a heavily-
laden horse, with his head strained up, she
would stop the carriage and get out, and reason
with the driver in her sweet serious voice, and
try to show him how foolish and cruel it was.
I don't think any man could withstand our

71

72 BLACKBEAUTY

mistress. I wish all ladies were like her. Our
master too used to come down very heavy
sometimes. I remember he was riding me to
wards home one morning, when we saw a
powerful man driving towards us in a light pony
chaise, with a beautiful little bay pony, with
slender legs, and a high-bred sensitive head and
face. Just as he came to the Park gates, the
little thing turned towards them ; the man, with
out word or warning, wrenched the creature's
head round with such a force and suddenness,
that he nearly threw it on its haunches: re
covering itself, it was going on when he began
to lash it furiously ; the pony plunged forward,
but the strong heavy hand held the pretty
creature back with force valmost enough to
break its jaw, whilst the whip still cut into him.
It was a dreadful sight to me, for I knew what
fearful pain it gave that delicate little mouth ;
but master gave me the word, and we were up
with him in a second.

" Sawyer," he cried in a stern voice, " is that
pony made of flesh and blood ? "

"Flesh and blood and temper," he said;
" he's too fond of his owji will, and that won't
suit me." He spoke as if he was in a strong
passion ; he was a builder who had often been
to the Park on business. " And do you think,"

BLACK BEAUTY 73

said master sternly, "that treatment like this
will make him fond of your will ? "

" He had no business to make that turn : his
road was straight on ! " said the man roughly.

' You have often driven that pony up to my
place," said master ; " it only shows the
creature's memory and intelligence ; how did
he know that you were not going there again ?
but that has little to do with it. I must say,
Mr. Sawyer, that more unmanly, brutal treat
ment of a little pony it was never my painful
lot to witness ; and by giving way to such pas
sions you injure your own character as much,
nay more, than you injure your horse, and
remember, we shall all have to be judged
according to our works, whether they be to
wards man or towards beast."

Master rode me home slowly, and I could
tell by his voice how the thing had grieved him.
He was just as free to speak to gentlemen of his
own rank as to those below him ; for another
day, when we were out, we met a Captain
Langley, a friend of our master's ; he was driv
ing a splendid pair of greys in a kind of brake.
After a little conversation the Captain said :

" What do you think of my new team, Mr.
Douglas ? you know you are the judge of horses
in these parts, and I should like your opinion."

33*

74 BLACKBEAUTY

The master backed me a little, so as to get a
good view of them. " They are an uncom
monly handsome pair," he said, " and if they
are as good as they look, I am sure you need
not wish for anything better ; but I see you get
hold of that pet scheme of yours for worrying
your horses and lessening their power."

" What do you mean," said the other, " the
bearing reins ? Oh, ah ! I know that's a hobby
of yours ; well, the fact is, I like to see my
horses hold their heads up."

" So do I," said master, " as well as any man,
but I don't like to see them held up ; that takes
all the shine out of it. Now you are a military
man, Langley, and no doubt like to see your
regiment look well on parade, ' Heads up,' and
all that ; but you would not take much credit
for your drill, if all your men had their heads
tied to a backboard! It might not be much
harm on parade, except to worry and fatigue
them, but how would it be in a bayonet charge
against the enemy, when they want the free use
of every muscle, and all their strength thrown
forward? I would not give much for their
chance of victory, and it is just the same with
horses ; you fret and worry their tempers, and
decrease their power; you will not let them
throw their weight against their work, and so

BLACK BEAUTY 75

they have to do too much with their joints
and muscles, and of course it wears them up
faster. You may depend upon it, horses were
intended to have their heads free, as free as
men's are ; and if we could act a little more
according to common sense, and a good deal
less according to fashion, we should find many
things work easier ; besides, you know as well
as I, that if a horse makes a false step, he has
much less chance of recovering himself if his
head and neck are fastened back. And now,"
said the master, laughing, " I have given my
hobby a good trot out, can't you make up your
mind to mount him too, Captain ? your example
would go a long way."

" I believe you are right in theory," said the
other, " and that's rather a hard hit about the
soldiers, but — well — I'll think about it," and so
they parted.

CHAPTER XII

A STORMY DAY

ONE day late in the autumn, my master had
a long journey to go on business. I was
put into the dog-cart, and John went with his
master. I always liked to go in the dog-cart,
it was so light, and the high wheels ran along
so pleasantly. There had been a great deal of
rain, and now the wind was very high, and
blew the dry leaves across the road in a shower.
We went along merrily till we came to the toll-
bar, and the low wooden bridge. The river
banks were rather high, and the bridge, instead
of rising, went across just level, so that in the
middle, if the river was full, the water would be
nearly up to the woodwork and planks ; but as
there were good substantial rails on each side,
people did not mind it.

The man at the gate said the river was rising
fast, and he feared it would be a bad night.
Many of the meadows were under water, and in
one low part of the road the water was half
way up to my knees ; the bottom was good, and
master drove gently, so it was no matter.

76

BLACK BEAUTY 77

When we got to the town, of course, I had
a good bait, but as the master's business en
gaged him a long time, we did not start for
home till rather late in the afternoon. The wind
was then much higher, and I heard the master
say to John, he had never been out in such a
storm ; and so I thought, as we went along the
skirts of a wood, where the great branches were
swaying about like twigs, and the rushing sound
was terrible.

" I wish we were well out of this wood," said
my master.

"Yes, sir," said John, "it would be rather
awkward if one of these branches came down
upon us."

The words were scarcely out of his mouth,
when there was a groan, and a crack, and a
splitting sound, and tearing crashing down
amongst the other trees, came an oak, torn up
by the roots, and it fell right across the road
just before us. I will never say I was not
frightened, for I was. I stopped still, and I
believe I trembled; of course I did not turn
round or run away ; I was not brought up to
that. John jumped out and was in a moment
at my head.

"That was a very near touch," said my
master. " What's to be done now ? "

78 BLACK BEAUTY

"Well, sir, we can't drive over that tree
nor yet get round it; there will be nothing
for it, but to go back to the four crossways,
and that will be a good six miles be
fore we get round to the wooden bridge
again ; it will make us late, but the horse is
fresh."

So back we went, and round by the cross
roads ; but by the time we got to the bridge, it
was very nearly dark, we could just see that
the water was over the middle of it ; but as that
happened sometimes when the floods were out,
master did not stop. We were going along at a
good pace, but the moment my feet touched the
first part of the bridge, I felt sure there was
something wrong. I dare not go forward, and
I made a dead stop. "Go on, Beauty,"
said my master, and he gave me a touch
with the whip, but I dare not stir; he gave
me a sharp cut, I jumped, but I dare not go
forward.

" There's something wrong, sir," said John,
and he sprang out of the dog-cart and came to
my head and looked all about. He tried to lead
me forward, " Come on, Beauty, what's the
matter ? " Of course I could not tell him,
but I knew very well that the bridge was not
safe.

BLACK BEAUTY 79

Just then, the man at the toll-gate on the
other side ran out of the house, tossing a torch
about like one mad.

" Hoy, hoy, hoy, halloo, stop ! " he cried.

" What's the matter ? " shouted my master.

" The bridge is broken in the middle and part
of it is carried away ; if you come on you'll
be into the river."

" Thank God ! ' said my master. ' You
Beauty ! " said John, and took the bridle and
gently turned me round to the right-hand road
by the river side. The sun had set some time,
the wind seemed to have lulled off after that
furious blast which tore up the tree. It grew
darker and' darker, stiller and stiller. I trotted
quietly along, the wheels hardly making a
sound on the soft road. For a good while
neither master nor John spoke, and then master
began in a serious voice. I could not under
stand much of what they said, but I found they
thought, if I had gone on as the master wanted
me, most likely the bridge would have given
way under us, and horse, chaise, master, and
man would have fallen into the river ; and as
the current was flowing very strongly, and
there was no light and no help at hand, it was
more than likely we should all have been
drowned. Master said, God had given men

80 BLACK BEAUTY

reason, by which they could find out things for
themselves, but He had given animals know
ledge which did not depend on reason, and
which was much more prompt and perfect in
its way, and by which they had often saved
the lives of men. John had many stories to tell
of dogs and horses, and the wonderful things
they had done ; he thought people did not value
their animals half enough, nor make friends
of them as they ought to do. I am sure he makes
friends of them if ever a man did.

At last we came to the Park gates, and found
the gardener looking out for us. He said that
mistress had been in a dreadful way ever since
dark, fearing some accident had happened, and
that she had sent James off on Justice, the roan
cob, towards the wooden bridge to make
enquiry after us.

We saw a light at the hall door and at
the upper windows, and as we came up,
mistress ran out, saying, " Are you really safe,
my dear? Oh! I have been so anxious,
fancying all sorts of things. Have you had
no accident ? "

" No, my dear ; but if your Black Beauty had
not been wiser than we were, we should all
have been carried down the river at the wooden
bridge." I heard no more, as they went into

BLACK BEAUTY 8l

the house, and John took me to the stable. Oh !
what a good supper he gave me that night, a
good bran mash and some crushed beans with
my oats, and such a thick bed of straw, and I
was glad of it, for I was tired.

CHAPTER XIII

THE DEVIL'S TRADE MARK

ONE day when John and I had been out on
some business of our master's, and were re
turning gently on a long straight road, at some
distance we saw a boy trying to leap a pony
over a gate ; the pony would not take the leap,
and the boy cut him with the whip, but he only
turned off on one side ; he whipped him again,
but the pony turned off on the other side. Then
the boy got off and gave him a hard thrashing,
and knocked him about the head ; then he got
up again and tried to make him leap the gate,
kicking him all the time shamefully, but still the
pony refused. When we were nearly at the
spot, the pony put down his head and threw up
his heels and sent the boy neatly over into a
broad quickset hedge, and with the rein dang
ling from his head, he set off home at a full gal
lop. John laughed out quite loud. " Served
him right," he said.

"Oh! oh! oh!" cried the boy, as he
struggled about amongst the thorns ; " I say,
come and help me out"

82

BLACK BEAUTY 83

" Thank ye," said John, " I think you are
quite in the right place, and maybe a little
scratching will teach you not to leap a pony
over a gate that is too high for him," and so
with that John rode off. " It may be/' said he
to himself, " that young fellow is a liar as well
as a cruel one ; we'll just go home by Farmer
Bushby's, Beauty, and then if anybody wants
to know, you and I can tell 'em, ye see " ; so
we turned off to the right, and soon came up to
the stack yard and within sight of the house.
The farmer was hurrying out into the road, and
his wife was standing at the gate, looking very
frightened.

" Have you seen my boy ? " said Mr. Bushby,
as we came up, " he went out an hour ago on
my black pony, and the creature is just come
back without a rider."

" I should think, sir," said John, " he had
better be without a rider, unless he can be
ridden properly."

" What do you mean ? " said the farmer.

"Well, sir, I saw your son whipping, and
kicking, and knocking that good little pony
about shamefully because he would not leap a
gate that was too high for him. The pony be
haved well, sir, and showed no vice ; but at last
he just threw up his heels, and tipped the young

84 BLACK BEAUTY

gentleman into the thorn hedge : he wanted me
to help him out ; but I hope you will excuse me,
sir, I did not feel inclined to do so. There's no
bones broken, sir, he'll only get a few scratches.
I love horses, and it roiles me to see them badly
used ; it is a bad plan to aggravate an animal
till he uses his heels ; the first time is not always
the last/'

During this time the mother began to cry,
" Oh ! my poor Bill, I must go and meet him,
he must be hurt."

" You had better go into the house, wife," said
the farmer ; " Bill wants a lesson about this, and
I must see that he gets it ; this is not the first
time nor the second that he has ill-used that
pony, and I shall stop it. I am much obliged
to you, Manly. Good evening."

So we went on, John chuckling all the way
home, then he told James about it, who laughed
and said, " Serve him right. I knew that boy
at school ; he took great airs on himself because
he was a farmer's son ; he used to swagger
about and bully the little boys ; of course we
elder ones would not have any of that nonsense,
and let him know that in the school and the
playground, farmers' sons and labourers' sons
were all alike. I well remember one day, just
before afternoon school, I found him at the

BLACK BEAUTY 85

large window catching flies and pulling off their
wings. He did not see me, and I gave him a
box on the ears that laid him sprawling on the
floor. Well, angry as I was, I was almost fright
ened, he roared and bellowed in such a style.
The boys rushed in from the playground, and
the master ran in from the road to see who was
being murdered. Of course I said fair and
square at once what I had done, and why;
then I showed the master the poor flies, some
crushed and some crawling about helpless, and
I showed him the wings on the window sill.
I never saw him so angry before ; but as Bill
was still howling and whining, like the coward
that he was, he did not give him any more pun
ishment of that kind, but set him up on a stool
for the rest of the afternoon, and said that he
should not go out to play for that week. Then
he talked to all the boys very seriously about
cruelty, and said how hard-hearted and cow
ardly it was to hurt the weak and the helpless ;
but what stuck in my mind was this, he said
that cruelty was the Devil's own trade mark,
and if we saw any one who took pleasure in
cruelty, we might know who he belonged to, for
the Devil was a murderer from the beginning,
and a tormentor to the end. On the other hand,
where we saw people who loved their neigh-

86 BLACK BEAUTY

hours, and were kind to man and beast, we
might know that was God's mark, for ' God is
Love/ "

' Your master never taught you a truer
thing," said John ; " there is no religion without
love, and people may talk as much as they like
about their religion, but if it does not teach them
to be good and kind to man and beast, it is all
a sham — all a sham, James, and it won't stand
when things come to be turned inside out and
put down for what they are."

CHAPTER XIV

JAMES HOWARD

ONE morning early in December, John had
just led me into my box after my daily
exercise, and was strapping my cloth on, and
James was coming in from the corn chamber
with some oats, when the master came into the
stable ; he looked rather serious, and held an
open letter in his hand. John fastened the
door of my box, touched his cap, and waited
for orders.

" Good morning, John/' said the master ; " I
want to know if you have any complaint to
make of James ? "

" Complaint, sir ? No, sir."

" Is he industrious at his work and respectful
to you ? "

' Yes, sir, always."

" You never find he slights his work when
your back is turned ? "

" Never, sir."

" That's well ; but I must put another ques
tion ; have you any reason to suspect that when
he goes out with the horses to exercise them, or

87

88 BLACK BEAUTY

to take a message, he stops about talking to his
acquaintances, or goes into houses where he has
no business, leaving the horses outside ? "

" No, sir, certainly not, and if anybody has
been saying that about James, I don't believe
it, and I don't mean to believe it unless I have
it fairly proved before witnesses ; it's not for
me to say who has been trying to take away
James' character, but I will say this, sir, that a
steadier, pleasanter, honester, smarter young
fellow I never had in this stable. I can trust his
word and I can trust his work ; he is gentle and
clever with the horses, and I would rather have
them in his charge, than in that of half the
young fellows I know in laced hats and liveries ;
and whoever wants a character of James
Howard," said John, with a decided jerk of his
head, " let them come to John Manly."

The master stood all this time grave and at
tentive, but as John finished his speech, a broad
smile spread over his face, and looking kindly
across at James, who, all this time had stood
still at the door, he said, " James, my lad, set
down the oats and come here ; I am very glad
to find that John's opinion of your character
agrees so exactly with my own. John is a cau
tious man," he said, with a droll smile, " and
it is not always easy to get his opinion about

BLACK BEAUTY 89

people, so I thought if I beat the bush on this
side, the birds would fly out, and I should learn
what I wanted to know quickly ; so now we will
come to business. I have a letter from my
brother-in-law, Sir Clifford Williams, of Clifford
Hall ; he wants me to find him a trustworthy
young groom, about twenty or twenty-one, who
knows his business. His old coachman, who
has lived with him twenty years, is getting
feeble, and he wants a man to work with him
and get into his ways, who would be able, when
the old man was pensioned off, to step into his
place. He would have eighteen shillings a
week at first, a stable suit, a driving suit, a bed
room over the coach-house, and a boy under
him. Sir Clifford is a good master, and if you
could get the place, it would be a good start for
you. I don't want to part with you, and if you
left us, I know John would lose his right hand."

" That I should, sir," said John, " but I would
not stand in his light for the world."

" How old are you, James ? " said master.

" Nineteen next May, sir."

" That's young ; what do you think, John ? "

" Well, sir, it is young : but he is as steady as
a man, and is strong, and well grown, and
though he has not had much experience in driv
ing, he has a light firm hand, and a quick eye,

90 BLACK BEAUTY

and he is very careful, and I am quite sure no
horse of his will be ruined for want of having
his feet and shoes looked after."

" Your word will go the furthest, John," said
the master, " for Sir Clifford adds in a post
script, ' If I could find a man trained by your
John, I should like him better than any other ; '
so James, lad, think it over, talk to your mother
at dinner time, and then let me know what you
wish."

In a few days after this conversation, it was
fully settled that James should go to Clifford
Hall in a month or six weeks, as it suited his
master, and in the meantime he was to get all
the practice in driving that could be given to
him. I never knew the carriage go out so often
before : when the mistress did not go out, the
master drove himself in the two- wheeled chaise ;
but now, whether it was master or the young
ladies, or only an errand, Ginger and I were
put into the carriage and James drove us. At
the first, John rode with him on the box, telling
him this and that, and after that James drove
alone.

Then it was wonderful what a number of
places the master would go to in the city on
Saturday, and what queer streets we were
driven through. He was sure to go to the rail-

BLACK BEAUTY QI

way station just as the train was coming in, and
cabs and carriages, carts and omni busses were
all trying to get over the bridge together ; that
bridge wanted good horses and good drivers
when the railway bell was ringing, for it was
narrow, and there was a very sharp turn up to
the station, where it would not have been at all
difficult for people to run into each other, if they
did not look sharp and keep their wits about
them.

CHAPTER XV

THE OLD OSTLER

AFTER this, it was decided by my master
and mistress to pay a visit to some friends
who lived about forty-six miles from our home,
and James was to drive them. The first day we
travelled thirty-two miles ; there were some long
heavy hills, but James drove so carefully and
thoughtfully that we were not at all harassed.
He never forgot to put on the drag as we went
downhill, nor to take it off at the right place.
He kept our feet on the smoothest part of the
road, and if the uphill was very long, he set the
carriage wheels a little across the road, so as
not to run back, and gave us a breathing. All
these little things help a horse very much, par
ticularly if he gets kind words into the bargain.
We stopped once or twice on the road, and
just as the sun was going down, we reached the
town where we were to spend the night. We
stopped at the principal hotel, which was in the
Marketplace ; it was a very large one ; we drove
under an archway into a long yard, at the fur
ther end of which were the stables and coach-

92

BLACKBEAUTY 93

houses. Two ostlers came to take us out. The
head ostler was a pleasant, active little man,
with a crooked leg, and a yellow striped waist
coat. I never saw a man unbuckle harness so
quickly as he did, and with a pat and a good
word he led me to a long stable, with six or
eight stalls in it, and two or three horses. The
other man brought Ginger; James stood by
whilst we were rubbed down and cleaned.

I never was cleaned so lightly and quickly as
by that little old man. When he had done,
James stepped up and felt me over, as if he
thought I could not be thoroughly done, but he
found my coat as clean and smooth as silk.

" Well," he said, " I thought I was pretty
quick, and our John quicker still, but you do
beat all I ever saw for being quick and thorough
at the same time."

" Practice makes perfect," said the crooked
little ostler, " and 'twould be a pity if it didn't ;.
forty years' practice, and not perfect ! ha, ha !
that would be a pity ; and as to being quick,
why, bless you ! that is only a matter of habit ;
if you get into the habit of being quick, it is just
as easy as being slow ; easier, I should say ; in
fact, it don't agree with my health to be hulking
about over a job twice as long as it need take.
Bless you ! I couldn't whistle if I crawled over

94 BLACK BEAUTY

my work as some folks do ! You see, I have been
about horses ever since I was twelve years old,
in hunting stables, and racing stables ; and
being small, ye see, I was jockey for several
years; but at the Goodwood, ye see, the turf
was very slippery and my poor Larkspur got a
fall, and I broke my knee, and so of course I
was of no more use there ; but I could not live
without horses, of course I couldn't, so I took to
the hotels, and I can tell ye it is a downright
pleasure to handle an animal like this, well-
bred, well-mannered, well-cared for ; bless ye !
I can tell how a horse is treated. Give me the
handling of a horse for twenty minutes, and I'll
tell you what sort of a groom he has had ; look
at this one, pleasant, quiet, turns about just as
you want him, holds up his feet to be cleaned
out, or anything else you please to wish ; then
you'll find another, fidgety, fretty, won't move
the right way, or starts across the stall, tosses
up his head as soon as you come near him, lays
his ears, and seems afraid of you ; or else
squares about at you with his heels. Poor
things! I know what sort of treatment they
have had. If they are timid, it makes them
start or shy ; if they are high-mettled, it makes
them vicious or dangerous ; their tempers are
mostly made when they are young. Bless you !

BLACK BEAUTY 95

they are like children, train 'em up in the way
they should go, as the good book says, and
when they are old they will not depart from it,
if they have a chance, that is."

" I like to hear you talk," said James, " that's
the way we lay it down at home, at our mas
ter's." *

" Who is your master, young man ? if it be a
proper question. I should judge he is a good
one, from what I see."

" He is Squire Gordon, of Birtwick Park, the
other side the Beacon hills," said James.

" Ah ! so, so, I have heard tell of him ; fine
judge of«horses, ain't he? the best rider in the
county ? "

" I believe he is," said James, " but he rides
very little now, since the poor young master was
killed."

" Ah ! poor gentleman ; I read all about it in
the paper at the time ; a fine horse killed too,
wasn't there ? "

' Yes," said James, " he was a splendid crea
ture, brother to this one, and just like him."

" Pity ! pity ! " said the old man, " 'twas a
bad place to leap, if I remember ; a thin fence at
top, a steep bank down to the stream, wasn't
it? no chance for a horse to see where he is
going. Now, I am for bold riding as much as

96 BLACK BEAUTY

any man, but still there are some leaps that only
a very knowing old huntsman has any right to
take ; a man's life and a horse's life are worth
more than a fox's tail, at least I should say they
ought to be."

During this time the other man had finished
Ginger, and had brought our corn, and James
and the old man left the stable together.

CHAPTER XVI

THE FIRE

T ATER on in the evening, a traveller's horse
.L/was brought in by the second ostler, and
whilst he was cleaning him, a young man with
a pipe in his mouth lounged into the stable to
gossip.

" I say, Towler," said the ostler, " just run up
the ladder into the loft and put some hay down
into this horse's rack, will you ? only lay down
your pipe."

" All right," said the other, and went
up through the trap door; and I heard
him step across the floor overhead and put
down the hay. James came in to look
at us the last thing, and then the door was
locked.

I cannot say how long I had slept, nor what
time in the night it was, but I woke up very un
comfortable, though I hardly knew why. I got
up, the air seemed all thick and choking. I
heard Ginger coughing, and one of the other
horses moved about restlessly ; it was quite
dark, and I could see nothing, but the stable
34 97

98 BLACK BEAUTY

was very full of smoke, and I hardly knew how
to breathe.

The trap door had been left open, and I
thought that was the place it came through. I
listened and heard a soft rushing sort of noise,
and a low crackling and snapping. I did not
know what it was, but there was something in
the sound so strange, that it made me tremble
all over. The other horses were now all awake ;
some were pulling at their halters, others were
stamping.

At last I heard steps outside, and the ostler
who had put up the traveller's horse burst into
the stable with a lantern, and began to untie the
horses, and try to lead them out ; but he seemed
in such a hurry, and so frightened himself that
he frightened me still more. The first horse
would not go with him ; he tried the second and
third, they too would not stir. He came to me
next and tried to drag me out of the stall by
force ; of course that was no use. He tried us
all by turns and then left the stable.

No doubt we were very foolish, but danger
seemed to be all round, and there was nobody
we knew to trust in, and all was strange and un
certain. The fresh air that had come in through
the open door made it easier to breathe, but the
rushing sound overhead grew louder, and as I

BLACK BEAUTY 99

looked upward, through the bars of my empty
rack, I saw a red light flickering on the wall.
Then I heard a cry of " Fire " outside, and the
old ostler quietly and quickly came in ; he got
one horse out, and went to another, but the
flames were playing round the trap door, and
the roaring overhead was dreadful.

The next thing I heard was James' voice,
quiet and cheery, as it always was.

" Come, my beauties, it is time for us to be
off, so wake up and come along." I stood nearest
the door, so he came to me first, patting me as
he came in.

" Come, Beauty, on with your bridle, my boy,
we'll soon be out of this smother." It was on in
no time ; then he took the scarf off his neck, and
tied it lightly over my eyes, and patting and
coaxing he led me out of the stable. Safe in the
yard, he slipped the scarf off my eyes, and
shouted, " Here, somebody ! take this horse
while I go back for the other."

A tall broad man stepped forward and took
me, and James darted back into the stable. I
set up a shrill whinny as I saw him go. Ginger
told me afterwards, that whinny was the best
thing I could have done for her, for had she
not heard me outside, she would never have
had courage to come out.

IOO BLACK BEAUTY

There was much confusion in the yard ; the
horses being got out of other stables, and the
carriages and gigs being pulled out of houses
and sheds, lest the flames should spread further.
On the other side the yard, windows were
thrown up, and people were shouting all sorts
of things ; but I kept my eye fixed on the stable
door, where the smoke poured out thicker than
ever, and I could see flashes of red light ; pres
ently I heard above all the stir and din a loud
clear voice, which I knew was master's : —

" James Howard ! James Howard ! are you
there ? " There was no answer, but I heard a
crash of something falling in the stable, and the
next moment I gave a loud joyful neigh, for I
saw James coming through the smoke leading
Ginger with him ; she was coughing violently
and he was not able to speak.

" My brave lad ! " said master, laying his
hand on his shoulder, " are you hurt ? "

James shook his head, for he could not yet
speak.

" Aye," said the big man who held me, " he is
a brave lad, and no mistake."

" And now," said master, " when you have
got your breath, James, we'll get out of this
place as quickly as we can," and we were mov
ing towards the entry, when from the Market

BLACK BEAUTY IOI

Place there came a sound of galloping feet and
loud rumbling wheels.

" Tis the fire engine! the fire engine!''
shouted two or three voices, " stand back, make
way ! " and clattering and thundering over the
stones two horses dashed into the yard with the
heavy engine behind them. The firemen leaped
to the ground ; there was no need to ask where
the fire was — it was torching up in a great blaze
from the roof.

We got out as fast as we could into the broad
quiet Market Place ; the stars were shining, and
except the noise behind us, all was still. Master
led the way to a large hotel on the other side,
and as soon as the ostler came, he said, " James,
I must now hasten to your mistress ; I trust the
horses entirely to you, order whatever you think
is needed," and with that he was gone. The
master did not run, but I never saw mortal man
walk so fast as he did that night.

There was a dreadful sound before we got
into our stalls ; the shrieks of those poor horses
that were left burning to death in the stable —
it was terrible ! and made both Ginger and me
feel very bad. We, however, were taken in
and well done by.

The next morning the master came to see
how we were and to speak to James. I did not

102 BLACK BEAUTY

hear much, for the ostler was rubbing me down,
but I could see that James looked very happy,
and I thought the master was proud of him.
Our mistress had been so much alarmed in the
night, that the journey was put off till the after
noon, so James had the morning on hand, and
went first to the inn to see about our harness and
the carriage, and then to hear more about the
fire. When he came back, we heard him tell
the ostler about it. At first no one could guess
how the fire had been caused, but at last a man
said he saw Dick Towler go into the stable with
a pipe in his mouth, and when he came out he
had not one, and went to the tap for another.
Then the under ostler said he had asked Dick
to go up the ladder to put down some hay, but
told him to lay down his pipe first. Dick denied
taking the pipe with him, but no one believed
him. I remember our John Manly 's rule, never
to allow a pipe in the stable, and thought it
ought to be the rule everywhere.

James said the roof and floor had all fallen
in, and that only the black walls were standing ;
the two poor horses that could not be got out,
were buried under the burnt rafters and tiles.

CHAPTER XVII

JOHN MANLY'S TALK

rest of our journey was very easy, and
- a little after sunset we reached the house
of my master's friend. We were taken into a
clean snug stable ; there was a kind coachman,
who made us very comfortable, and who
seemed to think a good deal of James when he
heard about the fire.

" There is one thing quite clear, young man,"
he said, " your horses know who they can trust ;
it is one of the hardest things in the world to get
horses out of a stable, when there is either fire
or flood. I don't know why they won't come
out, but they won't — not one in twenty."

We stopped two or three days at this place
and then returned home. All went well on the
journey ; we were glad to be in our own stable
again, and John was equally glad to see us.

Before he and James left us for the night,
James said, " I wonder who is coming in my
place."

" Little Joe Green at the Lodge," said John.

" Little Joe Green ! why he's a child ! '
103

104 BLACK BEAUTY

" He is fourteen and a half," said John.

" But he is such a little chap."

' Yes, he is small, but he is quick, and will
ing, and kind-hearted too, and then he wishes
very much to come, and his father would like
it; and I know the master would like to give
him the chance. He said, if I thought he would
not do, he would look out for a bigger boy ; but
I said I was quite agreeable to try him for six
weeks."

" Six weeks ! " said James, " why, it will be
six months before he can be of much use! it
will make you a deal of work, John."

" Well," said John with a laugh, " work and
I are very good friends ; I never was afraid of
work yet."

" You are a very good man," said James, " I
wish I may ever be like you."

" I don't often speak of myself," said John,
" but as you are going away from us out into
the world, to shift for yourself, I'll just tell you
how I look on these things. I was just as old
as Joseph when my father and mother died of
the fever, within ten days of each other, and left
me and my crippled sister Nelly alone in the
world, without a relation that we could look to
for help. I was a farmer's boy, not earning
enough to keep myself, much less both of us,

BLACK BEAUTY 105

and she must have gone to the workhouse, but
for our mistress (Nelly calls her, her angel, and
she has good right to do so). She went and
hired a room for her with old widow Mallet,
and she gave her knitting and needlework,
when she was able to do it ; and when she was
ill, she sent her dinners and many nice com
fortable things, and was like a mother to her.
Then the master, he took me into the stable
under old Norman, the coachman that was
then. I had my food at the house, and my bed
in the loft, and a suit of clothes and three
shillings a week, so that I could help Nelly.
Then there was Norman ; he might have turned
round and said that at his age he could not be
troubled with a raw boy from the plough-tail,
but he was like a father to me, and took no end
of pains with me. When the old man died
some years after, I stepped into his place, and
now of course I have top wages, and can lay
by for a rainy day or a sunny day as it may
happen, and Nelly is as happy as a bird. So
you see, James, I am not the man that should
turn up his nose at a little boy, and vex -a good,
kind master. No ! no ! I shall miss you very
much, James, but we shall pull through, and
there's nothing like doing a kindness when 'tis
put in your way, and I am glad I can do it."

34*

106 BLACK BEAUTY

" Then," said James, " you don't hold with
that saying, ' Everybody look after himself,
and take care of number one.' '

"No, indeed," said John, "where should I
and Nelly have been, if master and mistress
and old Norman had only taken care of number
one ? Why — she in the workhouse and I hoe
ing turnips ! Where would Black Beauty and
Ginger have been if you had only thought of
number one ? why, roasted to death ! No, Jim,
no! that is a selfish, heathenish saying, who
ever uses it, and any man who thinks he has
nothing to do but take care of number one,
why, it's a pity but what he had been drowned
like a puppy or a kitten, before he got his eyes
open, that's what I think," said John, with a
very decided jerk of his head.

James laughed at this ; but there was a thick
ness in his voice when he said, " You have been
my best friend except my mother ; I hope you
won't forget me."

" No, lad, no ! " said John, " and if ever I can
do you a good turn, I hope you won't forget
me."

The next day Joe came to the stables to learn
all he could before James left. He learned to
sweep the stable, to bring in the straw and hay ;
he began to clean the harness, and helped to

BLACK BEAUTY IO7

wash the carriage. As he was quite too short
to do anything in the way of grooming Ginger
and me, James taught him upon Merrylegs, for
he was to have full charge of him ; under John.
He was a nice little bright fellow, and always
came whistling to his work.

Merrylegs was a good deal put out, at being
" mauled about," as he said, " by a boy who
knew nothing ; " but towards the end of the
second week, he told me confidentially that he
thought the boy would turn out well.

At last the day came when James had to
leave us ; cheerful as he always was, he looked
quite downhearted that morning.

' You see," he said to John, " I am leaving
a great deal behind ; my mother and Betsy,
and you, and a good master and mistress, and
then the horses, and my old Merrylegs. At the
new place, there will not be a soul that I shall
know. If it were not that I shall get a higher
place, and be able to help my mother better,
I don't think I should have made up my mind
to it ; it is a real pinch, John."

" Aye, James, lad, so it is, but I should not
think much of you, if you could leave your
home for the first time and not feel it; cheer
up, you'll make friends there, and if you get
on well — as I am sure you will, it will be a fine

IO8 BLACK BEAUTY

thing for your mother, and she will be proud
enough that you have got into such a good
place as that."

So John cheered him up, but every one was
sorry to lose James ; as for Merrylegs, he pined
after him for several days, and went quite off
his appetite. So John took him out several
mornings with a leading rein, when he exercised
me, and trotting and galloping by my side, got
up the little fellow's spirits again, and he was
soon all right.

Joe's father would often come in and give
a little help, as he understood the work, and Joe
took a great deal of pains to learn, and John
was quite encouraged about him.

CHAPTER XVIII

GOING FOR THE DOCTOR

ONE night, a few days after James had left,
I had eaten my hay and was laid down in
my straw fast asleep, when I was suddenly
awoke by the stable bell ringing very loud. I
heard the door of John's house open, and his
feet running up to the Hall. He was back
again in no time ; he unlocked the stable door,
and came in, calling out, " Wake up, Beauty,
you must go well now, if ever you did ; " and
almost before I could think, he had got the
saddle on my back and the bridle on my head ;
he just ran round for his coat, and then took me
at a quick trot up to the Hall door. The Squire
stood there with a lamp in his hand.

" Now, John," he said, " ride for your life,
that is, for your mistress's life ; there is not a
moment to lose ; give this note to Doctor White ;
give your horse a rest at the Inn, and be back
as soon as you can."

John said, " Yes, sir," and was on my back
in a minute. The gardener who lived at the

lodge had heard the bell ring, and was ready

109

110 BLACK BEAUTY

with the gate open, and away we went through
the Park and through the village, and down the
hill till we came to the toll-gate. John called
very loud and thumped upon the door: the
man was soon out and flung open the gate.

" Now," said John, " do you keep the gate
open for the Doctor ; here's the money," and off
he went again.

There was before us a long piece of level
road by the river side ; John said to me, " Now
Beauty, do your best," and so I did ; I wanted
no whip nor spur, and for two miles I galloped
as fast as I could lay my feet to the ground ;
I don't believe that my old grandfather who
won the race at Newmarket, could have gone
faster. When we came to the bridge, John
pulled me up a little and patted my neck.
" Well done, Beauty ! good old fellow," he said.
He would have let me go slower, but my spirit
was up, and I was off again as fast as before.
The air was frosty, the moon was bright, it was
very pleasant ; we came through a village, then
through a dark wood, then uphill, then down
hill, till after an eight miles run we came to
the town, through the streets and into the
Market Place. It was all quite still except the
clatter of my feet on the stones — everybody
was asleep. The church clock struck three as

BLACK BEAUTY III

we drew up at Doctor White's door. John
rang the bell twice, and then knocked at the
door like thunder. A window was thrown up,
and Doctor White, in his nightcap, put his head
out and said, " What do you want ? "

" Mrs. Gordon is very ill, sir ; master wants
you to go at once, he thinks she will die if you
cannot get there — here is a note."

" Wait," he said, " I will come."

He shut the window, and was soon at the
door.

" The worst of it is," he said, " that my horse
has been out all day and is quite done up ; my
son has just been sent for, and he has taken
the other. What is to be done ? Can I have
your horse ? "

" He has come at a gallop nearly all the way,
sir, and I was to give him a rest here ; but I
think my master would not be against it if you
think fit, sir."

" All right," he said, " I will soon be ready."

John stood by me and stroked my neck, I
was very hot. The Doctor came out with his
riding whip.

'You need not take that, sir," said John,
" Black Beauty will go till he drops ; take care
of him, sir, if you can, I should not like any
harm to come to him."

112 BLACK BEAUTY

"No! no! John," said the Doctor, " I hope
not," and in a minute we had left John far
behind.

I will not tell about our way back ; the Doctor
was a heavier man than John, and not so good
a rider; however, I did my very best The
man at the toll-gate had it open. When we
came to the hill, the Doctor drew me up.
" Now, my good fellow," he said, " take some
breath." I was glad he did, for I was nearly
spent, but that breathing helped me on, and
soon we were in the Park. Joe was at the
lodge gate, my master was at the Hall door,
for he had heard us coming. He spoke not a
word ; the Doctor went into the house with him,
and Joe led me to the stable. I was glad to get
home, my legs shook under me, and I could
only stand and pant. I had not a dry hair on
my body, the water ran down my legs, and I
steamed all over — Joe used to say, like a pot
on the fire. Poor Joe! he was young and
small, and as yet he knew very little, and his
father, who would have helped him, had been
sent to the next village ; but I am sure he did
the very best he knew. He rubbed my legs
and my chest, but he did not put my warm
cloth on me ; he thought I was so hot I should
not like it. Then he gave me a pail full of

BLACK BEAUTY 113

water to drink ; it was cold and very good, and
I drank it all ; then he gave me some hay and
some corn, and thinking he had done right,
he went away. Soon I began to shake and
tremble, and turned deadly cold, my legs
ached, my loins ached, and my chest ached,
and I felt sore all over. Oh ! how I wished for
my warm thick cloth as I stood and trembled.
I wished for John, but he had eight miles to
walk, so I lay down in my straw and tried to
go to sleep. After a long while I heard John
at the door ; I gave a low moan, for I was in
great pain. He was at my side in a moment
stooping down by me ; I could not tell him how
I felt ; but he seemed to know it all ; he covered
me up with two or three warm cloths, and then
ran to the house for some hot water ; he made
me some warm gruel which I drank, and then
I think I went to sleep.

John seemed to be very much put out. I
heard him say to himself, over and over again,
" Stupid boy ! stupid boy ! no cloth put on,
and I dare say the water was cold too; boys
are no good," but Joe was a good boy after
all

I was now very ill; a strong inflammation
had attacked my lungs, and I could not draw
my breath without pain. John nursed me

114 BLACK BEAUTY

night and day, he would get up two or three
times in the night to come to me ; my master,
too, often came to see me. " My poor
Beauty/' he said one day, " my good horse,
you saved your mistress's life, Beauty! yes,
you saved her life." I was very glad to hear
that, for it seems the Doctor had said if we
had been a little longer it would have been too
late. John told my master he never saw a
horse go so fast in his life, it seemed as if the
horse knew what was the matter. Of course
I did, though John thought not ; at least I knew
as much as this, that John and I must go at
the top of our speed, and that it was for the
sake of the mistress.

CHAPTER XIX

ONLY IGNORANCE

I DO not know how long I was ill. Mr. Bond
the horse doctor, came every day. One day
he bled me ; John held a pail for the blood ;
I felt very faint after it, and thought I should
die, and I believe they all thought so too.

Ginger and Merrylegs had been moved into
the other stable, so that I might be quiet, for
the fever made me very quick of hearing ; any
little noise seemed quite loud, and I could tell
every one's footstep going to and from the
house. I knew all that was going on. One
night John had to give me a draught ; Thomas
Green came in to help him. After I had taken
it and John had made me as comfortable as he
could, he said he should stay half-an-hour to see
how the medicine settled. Thomas said he
would stay with him, so they went and sat down
on a bench that had been brought into Merry-
leg's stall, and put down the lantern at their
feet, that I might not be disturbed with the light.

For a while both men sat silent, and then
Tom Green said in a low voice,

"5

Il6 BLACK BEAUTY

" I wish, John, you'd say a bit of a kind word
to Joe ; the boy is quite broken-hearted, he can't
eat his meals, and he can't smile. He says he
knows it was all his fault, though he is sure he
did the best he knew, and he says, if Beauty
dies, no one will ever speak to him again. It
goes to my heart to hear him ; I think you
might give him just a word, he is not a bad
boy."

After a short pause, John said slowly, " You
must not be too hard upon me, Tom. I know
he meant no harm, I never said he did ; I know
he is not a bad boy, but you see I am sore
myself ; that horse is the pride of my heart, to
say nothing of his being such a favourite with
the master and mistress ; and to think that his
life may be flung away in this manner, is more
than I can bear ; but if you think I am hard
on the boy, I will try to give him a good word
to-morrow — that is, I mean if Beauty is better."

"Well, John! thank you, I knew you did
not wish to be too hard, and I am glad you see
it was only ignorance."

John's voice almost startled me as he
answered, "Only ignorance! only ignorance!
how can you talk about only ignorance?
Don't you know that it is the worst thing in
the world, next to wickedness? — and which

BLACK BEAUTY 117

does the most mischief, heaven only knows. If
people can say, ' Oh ! I did not know, I did not
mean any harm/ they think it is all right. I
suppose Martha Mulwash did not mean to kill
that baby, when she dosed it with Dalby, and
soothing syrups; but she did kill it, and was
tried for manslaughter."

" And serve her right, too," said Tom. " A
woman should not undertake to nurse a tender
little child without knowing what is good and
what is bad for it."

"Bill Starkey," continued John, "did not
mean to frighten his brother into fits, when he
dressed up like a ghost, and ran after him in
the moonlight; but he did; and that bright,
handsome little fellow, that might have been
the pride of any mother's heart, is just no better
than an idiot, and never will be, if he lives to be
eighty years old. You were a good deal cut
up yourself, Tom, two weeks ago, when those
young ladies left your hothouse door open, with
a frosty east wind blowing right in ; you said it
killed a good many of your plants."

" A good many ! " said Tom, " there was not
one of the tender cuttings that was not nipped
off; I shall have to strike all over again, and
the worst of it is, that I don't know where to
go to get fresh ones. I was nearly mad when

Il8 BLACK BEAUTY

I came in and saw what was done."

" And yet," said John, " I am sure the young
ladies did not mean it ; it was only ignorance ! '
I heard no more of this conversation, for the
medicine did well and sent me to sleep, and in
the morning I felt much better: but I often
thought of John's words when I came to know
more of the world.

CHAPTER XX

JOE GREEN

JOE GREEN went on very well ; he learned
quickly, and was so attentive and careful,
that John began to trust him in many things ;
but, as I have said, he was small of his age, and
it was seldom that he was allowed to exercise
either Ginger or me ; but it so happened one
morning that John was out with " Justice " in
the luggage cart, and the master wanted a note
to be taken immediately to a gentleman's house,
about three miles distant, and sent his orders for
Joe to saddle me and take it ; adding the caution
that he was to ride carefully.

The note was delivered, and we were quietly
returning till we came to the brickfield. Here
we saw a cart heavily laden with bricks ; the
wheels had stuck fast in the stiff mud of some
deep ruts ; and the carter was shouting and
flogging the two horses unmercifully. Joe
pulled up. It was a sad sight. There were the
two horses straining and struggling with all
their might to drag the cart out, but they could

not move it ; the sweat streamed from their legs

119

I2O BLACK BEAUTY

and flanks, their sides heaved, and every muscle
was strained, whilst the man, fiercely pulling at
the head of the forehorse swore and lashed most
brutally.

" Hold hard," said Joe, " don't go on flogging
the horses like that; the wheels are so stuck
that they cannot move the cart." The man took
no heed, but went on lashing.

" Stop ! pray stop," said Joe ; " I'll help you
to lighten the cart, they can't move it now."

" Mind your own business, you impudent
young rascal, and I'll mind mine." The man
was in a towering passion, and the worse for
drink, and laid on the whip again. Joe turned
my head, and the next moment we were going
at a round gallop towards the house of the
master brickmaker. I cannot say if John would
have approved of our pace, but Joe and I were
both of one mind, and so angry, that we could
not have gone slower.

The house stood close by the roadside. Joe
knocked at the door and shouted, " Hulloa ! is
Mr. Clay at home ? " The door was opened,
and Mr. Clay himself came out.

" Hulloa ! young man ! you seem in a hurry ;
any orders from the squire this morning ? "

" No, Mr. Clay, but there's a fellow in your
brickyard flogging two horses to death. I told

BLACK BEAUTY 121

him to stop and he wouldn't ; I said I'd help him
to lighten the cart, and he wouldn't ; so I have
come to tell you ; pray, sir, go." Joe's voice
shook with excitement.

" Thank ye, my lad," said the man, running
in for his hat; then pausing for a moment —
" Will you give evidence of what you saw if I
should bring the fellow up before a magis
trate?"

" That I will," said Joe, " and glad too." The
man was gone, and we were on our way home
at a smart trot.

" Why, what's the matter with you, Joe ? you
look angry all over," said John, as the boy flung
himself from the saddle.

" I am angry all over, I can tell you," said the
boy, and then in hurried, excited words he told
all that had happened. Joe was usually such a
quiet, gentle little fellow that it was wonderful
to see him so roused.

" Right, Joe ! you did right, my boy, whether
the fellow gets a summons or not. Many folks
would have ridden by and said 'twas not their
business to interfere. Now, I say, that with
cruelty and oppression it is everybody's busi
ness to interfere when they see it ; you did right,
my boy."

Joe was quite calm by this time, and proud

122 BLACK BEAUTY

that John approved of him, and he cleaned out
my feet, and rubbed me down with a firmer
hand than usual.

They were just going home to dinner when
the footman came down to the stable to say
that Joe was wanted directly in master's private
room ; there was a man brought up for ill-using
horses, and Joe's evidence was wanted. The
boy flushed up to his forehead, and his eyes
sparkled. " They shall have it," said he.

" Put yourself a bit straight," said John. Joe
gave a pull at his necktie and a twitch at his
jacket, and was off in a moment. Our master
being one of the county magistrates, cases were
often brought to him to settle, or say what
should be done. In the stable we heard no
more for some time, as it was the men's dinner
hour, but when Joe came next into the stable I
saw he was in high spirits ; he gave me a good-
natured slap and said, " We won't see such
things done, will we, old fellow ? " We heard
afterwards that he had given his evidence so
clearly, and the horses were in such an ex
hausted state, bearing marks of such brutal
usage, that the carter was committed to take
his trial, and might possibly be sentenced to
two or three months in prison.

It was wonderful what a change had come

BLACK BEAUTY 123

over Joe. John laughed, and said he had
grown an inch taller in that week, and I believe
he had. He was just as kind and gentle as
before, but there was more purpose and deter
mination in all that he did — as if he had jumped
at once from a boy into a man.

CHAPTER XXI

THE PARTING

I HAD now lived in this happy place three
years, but sad changes were about to come
over us. We heard from time to time that our
mistress was ill. The Doctor was often at
the house, and the master looked grave and
anxious. Then we heard that she must leave
her home at once and go to a warm country
for two or three years. The news fell upon the
household like the tolling of a death-bell.
Everybody was sorry; but the master began
directly to make arrangements for breaking up
his establishment and leaving England. We
used to hear it talked about in our stable ; in
deed, nothing else was talked about.

John went about his work silent and sad, and
Joe scarcely whistled. There was a great deal
of coming and going; Ginger and I had full
work.

The first of the party who went were Miss
Jessie and Flora with their governess. They
came to bid us good-bye. They hugged poor

Merrylegs like an old friend, and so indeed he

124

BLACK BEAUTY 125

was. Then he heard what had been arranged
for us. Master had sold Ginger and me to his

old friend, the Earl of W , for he thought

we should have a good place there. Merrylegs
he had given to the Vicar, who was wanting a
pony for Mrs. Blomefield, but it was on the
condition that he should never be sold, and
when he was past work that he should be shot
and buried.

Joe was engaged to take care of him, and to
help in the house, so I thought that Merrylegs
was well off. John had the offer of several
good places, but he said he should wait a little
and look round.

The evening before they left, the master came
into the stable to give some directions and to.
give his horses the last pat. He seemed very
low-spirited ; I knew that by his voice. I be
lieve we horses can tell more by the voice than
many men can.

" Have you decided what to do, John ? " he
said. " I find you have not accepted any of
those offers."

" No, sir, I have made up my mind that if I
could get a situation with some first-rate colt-
breaker and horse-trainer, that it would be the
right thing for me. Many young animals are
frightened and spoiled by wrong treatment

126 BLACK BEAUTY

which need not be, if the right man took them
in hand. I always get on well with horses, and
if I could help some of them to a fair start, I
should feel as if I was doing some good. What
do you think of it, sir ? "

" I don't know a man anywhere," said
master, " that I should think so suitable for
it as yourself. You understand horses, and
somehow they understand you, and in time you
might set up for yourself; I think you could
not do better. If in any way I can help you,
write to me; I shall speak to my agent in
London, and leave your character with him/'

Master gave John the name and address, and
then he thanked him for his long and faithful
service ; but that was too much for John.
" Pray don't, sir, I can't bear it ; you and my
dear mistress have done so much for me that I
could never repay it ; but we shall never forget
you, sir, and please God we may some day see
mistress back again like herself ; we must keep
up hope, sir." Master gave John his hand, but
he did not speak, and they both left the stable.

The last sad day had come ; the footman and
the heavy luggage had gone off the day before,
and there was only master and mistress and her
maid. Ginger and I brought the carriage up
to the Hall door for the last time. The servants

BLACK BEAUTY 127

brought out cushions and rugs and many other
things, and when all were arranged, master
came down the steps carrying the mistress in
his arms (I was on the side next the house and
could see all that went on) ; he placed her care
fully in the carriage, while the house servants
stood round crying.

" Good-bye again," he said, " we shall not
forget any of you," and he got in — " Drive on,
John."

Joe jumped up, and we trotted slowly through
the Park, and through the village, where the
people were standing at their doors to have a
last look and to say, " God bless them."

When we reached the railway station, I think
mistress walked from the carriage to the wait
ing room. I heard her say in her own sweet
voice, " Good-bye, John, God bless you." I felt
the rein twitch, but John made no answer,
perhaps he could not speak. As soon as Joe
had taken the things out of the carriage, John
called him to stand by the horses, while he went
on the platform. Poor Joe ! he stood close up
to our heads to hide his tears. Very soon the
train came puffing up into the station ; then two
or three minutes, and the doors were slammed
to ; the guard whistled and the train glided
away, leaving behind it only clouds of white

128 BLACK BEAUTY

smoke, and some very heavy hearts.

When it was quite out of sight, John came
back —

" We shall never see her again," he said —
" never." He took the reins, mounted the box,
and with Joe drove slowly home ; but it was not
our home now.

PART TWO

35

CHAPTER XXII

EARLSHALL

next morning after breakfast Joe put
Merrylegs into the mistress's low chaise to
take him to the vicarage ; he came first and said
good-bye to us, and Merrylegs neighed to us
from the yard. Then John put the saddle on
Ginger and the leading rein on me, and rode us
across the country about fifteen miles to Earls-
hall Park, where the Earl of W lived.

There was a very fine house and a great deal
of stabling; we went into the yard through a
stone gateway, and John asked for Mr. York.
It was some time before he came. He was a
fine-looking, middle-aged man, and his voice
said at once that he expected to be obeyed. He
was very friendly and polite to John, and after
giving us a slight look, he called a groom to
take us to our boxes, and invited John to take
some refreshment.

We were taken to a light airy stable, and
placed in boxes adjoining each other, where we
were rubbed down and fed. In about half-an-
hour John and Mr. York,' who was to be our

132 BLACK BEAUTY

new coachman, came in to see us.

" Now, Mr. Manly," he said, after carefully
looking at us both, " I can see no fault in these
horses, but we all know that horses have their
peculiarities as well as men, and that some
times they need different treatment; I should
like to know if there is anything particular in
either of these, that you would like to mention."

" Well," said John, " I don't believe there is
a better pair of horses in the country, and right
grieved I am to part with them, but they are not
alike. The black one is the most perfect temper
I ever knew ; I suppose he has never known a
hard word or a blow since he was foaled, and
all his pleasure seems to be to do what you
wish ; but the chestnut I fancy must have had
bad treatment; we heard as much from the
dealer. She came to us snappish and sus
picious, but when she found what sort of place
ours was, it all went off by degrees ; for three
years I have never seen the smallest sign of
temper, and if she is well treated there is not a
better, more willing animal than she is ; but she
is naturally a more irritable constitution than
the black horse ; flies tease her more ; anything
wrong in the harness frets her more ; and if she
were ill-used or unfairly treated, she would not
be unlikely to give tit for tat; you know that

BLACK BEAUTY 133

many high-mettled horses will do so/'

" Of course/' said York, " I quite understand,
but you know it is not easy in stables like these
to have all the grooms just what they should
be; I do my best, and there I must leave it.
I'll remember what you have said about the
mare."

They were going out of the stable, when John
stopped and said, " I had better mention that
we have never used the 'bearing rein' with
either of them ; the black horse never had one
on, and the dealer said it was the gag-bit that
spoiled the other's temper."

" Well," said York, " if they come here, they
must wear the bearing rein. I prefer a loose
rein myself, and his lordship is always very
reasonable about horses ; but my lady — that's
another thing, she will have style ; and if her
carriage horses are not reined up tight, she
wouldn't look at them. I always stand out
against the gag-bit, and shall do so, but it must
be tight up when my lady rides ! '

" I am sorry for it, very sorry," said John ;
" but I must go now, or I shall lose the train."

He came round to each of us to pat and speak
to us for the last time ; his voice sounded very
sad.

I held my face close to him, that was all I

134 BLACK BEAUTY

could do to say good-bye; and then he was
gone, and I have never seen him since.

The next day Lord W came to look at

us ; he seemed pleased with our appearance.

" I have great confidence in these horses," he
said, " from the character my friend Mr. Gordon
has given me of them. Of course they are not
a match in colour, but my idea is, that they
will do very well for the carriage whilst we are
in the country. Before we go to London I must
try to match Baron ; the black horse, I believe,
is perfect for riding."

York then told him what John had said
about us.

" Well," said he, " you must keep an eye to
the mare, and put the bearing rein easy ; I dare
say they will do very well with a little humour
ing at first. I'll mention it to her ladyship."

In the afternoon we were harnessed and put
in the carriage, and as the stable clock struck
three we were led round to the front of the
house. It was all very grand, and three or four
times as large as the old house at Birtwick, but
not half so pleasant, if a horse may have an
opinion. Two footmen were standing ready,
dressed in drab livery, with scarlet breeches
and white stockings. Presently we heard the
rustling sound of silk as my lady came down

BLACK BEAUTY 135

the flight of stone steps. She stepped round to
look at us ; she was a tall, proud-looking
woman, and did not seem pleased about some
thing, but she said nothing, and got into the
carriage. This was the first time of wearing a
bearing rein, and I must say, though it certainly
was a nuisance not to be able to get my head
down now and then, it did not pull my head
higher than I was accustomed to carry it. I felt
anxious about Ginger, but she seemed to be
quiet and content.

The next day at three o'clock we were again
at the door, and the footmen as before ; we
heard the silk dress rustle, and the lady came
down the steps, and in an imperious voice she
said, " York, you must put those horses' heads
higher, they are not fit to be seen."

York got down and said very respectfully,
" I beg your pardon, my lady, but these horses
have not been reined up for three years, and
my lord said it would be safer to bring them to
it by degrees; but if your ladyship pleases, I
can take them up a little more."

" Do so," she said.

York came round to our heads and shortened
the rein himself, one hole, I think ; every little
makes a difference, be it for better or worse, and
that day we had a steep hill to go up. Then I

136 BLACK BEAUTY

began to understand what I had heard of. Of
course I wanted to put my head forward and
take the carriage up with a will, as we had been
used to do ; but no, I had to pull with my head
up now, and that took all the spirit out of me,
and the strain came on my back and legs.
When we came in, Ginger said, " Now you see
what it is like, but this is not bad, and if it does
not get much worse than this, I shall say
nothing about it, for we are very well treated
here ; but if they strain me up tight, why, let
'em look out ! I can't bear it, and I won't."

Day by day, hole by hole our bearing reins
were shortened, and instead of looking forward
with pleasure to having my harness put on as
I used to do, I began to dread it. Ginger too
seemed restless, though she said very little. At
last I thought the worst was over ; for several
days there was no more shortening, and I deter
mined to make the best of it and do my duty,
though it was now a constant harass instead of a
pleasure ; but the worst was not come.

CHAPTER XXIII

A STRIKE FOR LIBERTY

ONE day my lady came down later than
usual, and the silk rustled more than ever.

" Drive to the Duchess of B 's," she said,

and then after a pause — " Are you never going
to get those horses' heads up, York? Raise
them at once, and let us have no more of this
humouring and nonsense."

York came to me first, whilst the groom stood
at Ginger's head. He drew my head back and
fixed the rein so tight that it was almost intoler
able ; then he went to Ginger, who was impa
tiently jerking her head up and down against
the bit, as was her way now. She had a good
idea of what was coming, and the moment York
took the rein off the terret in order to shorten it,
she took her opportunity, and reared up so
suddenly that York had his nose roughly hit,
and his hat knocked off ; the groom was nearly
thrown off his legs. At once they both flew to
her head, but she was a match for them, and
went on plunging, rearing, and kicking in a
most desperate manner ; at last she kicked right

35* I37

138 BLACK BEAUTY

over the carriage pole and fell down, after
giving me a severe blow on my near quarter.
There is no knowing what further mischief she
might have done, had not York promptly sat
himself down flat on her head, to prevent her
struggling, at the same time calling out, " Un
buckle the black horse ! run for the winch and
unscrew the carriage pole ; cut the trace here,
somebody, if you can't unhitch it." One of the
footmen ran for the winch, and another brought
a knife from the house. The groom soon set
me free from Ginger and the carriage, and led
me to my box. He just turned me in as I was,
and ran back to York. I was much excited by
what had happened, and if I had ever been
used to kick or rear, I am sure I should have
done it then ; but I never had, and there I stood
angry, sore in my leg, my head still strained
up to the terret on the saddle, and no power to
get it down. I was very miserable, and felt
much inclined to kick the first person who came
near me.

Before long, however, Ginger was led in by
two grooms, a good deal knocked about and
bruised. York came with her and gave his
orders, and then came to look at me. In a
moment he let down my head.

" Confound these bearing reins ! " he said

BLACK BEAUTY 139

to himself ; " I thought we should Have some
mischief soon — master will be sorely vexed ; but
there — if a woman's husband can't rule her, of
course a servant can't ; so I wash my hands of
it, and if she can't get to the Duchess' garden
party, I can't help it."

York did not say this before the men ; he
always spoke respectfully when they were by.
Now, he felt me all over, and soon found the
place above my hock where I had been kicked.
It was swelled and painful ; he ordered it to be
sponged with hot water, and then some lotion
was put on.

Lord W was much put out when he

learned what had happened ; he blamed York
for giving way to his mistress, to which he re
plied, that in future he would much prefer to
receive his orders only from his lordship ; but I
think nothing came of it, for things went on
the same as before. I thought York might have
stood up better for his horses, but perhaps I am
no judge.

Ginger was never put into the carriage again,
but when she was well of her bruises, one of

Lord W 's younger sons said he should like

to have her; he was sure she would make a
good hunter. As for me, I was obliged still to
go in the carriage, and had a fresh partner

140 BLACK BEAUTY

called Max ; he had always been used to the
tight rein. I asked him how it was he bore it.

" Well," he said, " I bear it because I must,
but it is shortening my life, and it will shorten
yours too, if you have to stick to it."

" Do you think," I said, " that our masters
know how bad it is for us ? "

" I can't say," he replied, " but the dealers
and the horse doctors know it very well. I was
at a dealer's once, who was training me and
another horse to go as a pair ; he was getting
our heads up, as he said, a little higher and a
little higher every day. A gentleman who was
there asked him why he did so ; ' Because,' said
he, ' people won't buy them unless we do. The
London people always want their horses to
carry their heads high, and to step high; of
course it is very bad for the horses, but then it
is good for trade. The horses soon wear up, or
get diseased, and they come for another pair/
That," said Max, " is what he said in my hear
ing and you can judge for yourself."

What I suffered with that rein for four long
months in my lady's carriage, it would be hard
to describe ; but I am quite sure that, had it
lasted much longer, either my health or my
temper would have given way. Before that, I
never knew what it was to foam at the mouth,

BLACK BEAUTY 14!

but now the action of the sharp bit on my
tongue and jaw, and the constrained position
of my head, and throat, always caused me to
froth at the mouth more or less. Some people
think it very fine to see this, and say, " What
fine, spirited creatures ! " But it is just as un
natural for horses as for men, to foam at the
mouth : it is a sure sign of some discomfort, and
should be attended to. Besides this, there was
a pressure on my windpipe, which often made
my breathing very uncomfortable ; when I re
turned from my work, my neck and chest were
strained and painful, my mouth and tongue
tender and I felt worn and depressed.

In my old home, I always knew that John
and my master were my friends; but here,
although in many ways I was well treated, I
had no friend. York might have known, and
very likely did know, how that rein harassed
me ; but I suppose he took it as a matter of
course that could not be helped ; at any rate,
nothing was done to relieve me.

CHAPTER XXIV

THE LADY ANNE

EARLY in the spring, Lord W and part
of his family went up to London, and took
York with them. I and Ginger and some other
horses were left at home for use, and the head
groom was left in charge.

The Lady Harriet, who remained at the Hall,
was a great invalid, and never went out in the
carriage, and the Lady Anne preferred riding
on horseback with her brother, or cousins. She
was a perfect horse-woman, and as gay and
gentle as she was beautiful. She chose me for
her horse, and named me " Black Auster." I
enjoyed these rides very much in the clear cold
air, sometimes with Ginger, sometimes with
Lizzie. This "Lizzie was a bright bay mare,
almost thorough-bred, and a great favourite
with the gentlemen, on account of her fine action
and lively spirit ; but Ginger, who knew more
of her than I did, told me she was rather
nervous.

There was a gentleman of the name of
Blantyre staying at the Hall ; he always rode

142

BLACK BEAUTY 143

Lizzie, and praised her so much, that one day
Lady Anne ordered the side-saddle to be put on
her, and the other saddle on me. When we
came to the door, the gentleman seemed very
uneasy.

" How is this ? " he said, " are you tired of
your good Black Auster ? "

" Oh ! no, not at all," she replied, " but I am
amiable enough to let you ride him for once,
and I will try your charming Lizzie. You must
confess that in size and appearance she is far
more like a lady's horse than my own
favourite."

" Do let me advise you not to mount her,"
he said ; " she is a charming creature, but she
is too nervous for a lady. I assure you she is
not perfectly safe ; let me beg you to have the
saddles changed."

" My dear cousin," said Lady Anne, laughing,
" pray do not trouble your good careful head
about me ; I have been a horsewoman ever
since I was a baby, and I have followed the
hounds a great many times, though I know you
do not approve of ladies hunting ; but still that
is the fact, and I intend to try this Lizzie that
you gentlemen are all so fond of ; so please help
me to mount like a good friend as you are."

There was no more to be said ; he placed her

144 BLACK BEAUTY

carefully on the saddle, looked to the bit and
curb, gave the reins gently into her hand, and
then mounted me. Just as we were moving off,
a footman came out with a slip of paper and
message from the Lady Harriet — " Would they
ask this question for her at Dr. Ashley's, and
bring the answer ? "

The village was about a mile off, and the
Doctor's house was the last in it. We went
along gaily enough till we came to his gate.
There was a short drive up to the house be
tween tall evergreens. Blantyre alighted at the
gate, and was going to open it for Lady Anne,
but she said, " I will wait for you here, and you
can hang Auster's rein on the gate."

He looked at her doubtfully — " I will not be
five minutes," he said.

" Oh, do not hurry yourself ; Lizzie and I
shall not run away from you."

He hung my rein on one of the iron spikes,
and was soon hidden amongst the trees. Lizzie
was standing quietly by the side of the road a
few paces off with her back to me. My young
mistress was sitting easily with a loose rein,
humming a little song. I listened to my rider's
footsteps until they reached the house, and
heard him knock at the door. There was a
meadow on the opposite side of the road, the

BLACK BEAUTY 145

gate of which stood open ; just then, some cart
horses and several young colts came trotting out
in a very disorderly manner, whilst a boy be
hind was cracking a great whip. The colts
were wild and frolicsome, and one of them
bolted across the road, and blundered up
against Lizzie's hind legs ; and whether it was
the stupid colt, or the loud cracking of the whip,
or both together, I cannot say, but she gave a
violent kick, and dashed off into a headlong
gallop. It was so sudden, that Lady Anne was
nearly unseated, but she soon recovered herself.
I gave a loud shrill neigh for help : again and
again I neighed, pawing the ground impatiently,
and tossing my head to get the rein loose. I had
not long to wait. Blantyre came running to the
gate ; he looked anxiously about, and just
caught sight of the flying figure, now far away
on the road. In an instant he sprang into the
saddle. I needed no whip, or spur, for I was
as eager as my rider; he saw it, and giving
me a free rein, and leaning a little forward, we
dashed after them.

For about a mile and a half the road ran
straight, and then bent to the right, after which
it divided into two roads. Long before we came
to the bend, she was out of sight. Which way
had she turned? A woman was standing at

146 BLACK BEAUTY

her garden gate, shading her eyes with her
hand, and looking eagerly up the road.
Scarcely drawing the rein, Blantyre shouted,
"Which way?" "To the right," cried the
woman, pointing with her hand, and away we
went up the right-hand road; then for a
moment we caught sight of her ; another bend
and she was hidden again. Several times we
caught glimpses, and then lost them. We
scarcely seemed to gain ground upon them at
all. An old road-mender was standing near a
heap of stones — his shovel dropped, and his
hands raised. As we came near he made a
sign to speak. Blantyre drew the rein a little.
" To the common, to the common, sir ; she has
turned off there." I knew this common very
well; it was for the most part very uneven
ground, covered with heather and dark green
furze bushes, with here and there a scrubby old
thorn tree ; there were also open spaces of fine
short grass, with ant-hills and mole turns every
where ; the worst place I ever knew for a head
long gallop.

We had hardly turned on the common, when
we caught sight again of the green habit flying
on before us. My lady's hat was gone, and her
long brown hair was streaming behind her.
Her head and body were thrown back, as if she

BLACK BEAUTY 147

were pulling with all her remaining strength,
and as if that strength were nearly exhausted.
It was clear that the roughness of the ground
had very much lessened Lizzie's speed, and there
seemed a chance that we might overtake her.

Whilst we were on the high road, Blantyre
had given me my head ; but now with a light
hand and a practised eye, he guided me over
the ground in such a masterly manner, that my
pace was scarcely slackened, and we were de
cidedly gaining on them.

About half-way across the heath there had
been a wide dyke recently cut, and the earth
from the cutting was cast up roughly on the
other side. Surely this would stop them ! but
no ; with scarcely a pause Lizzie took the leap,
stumbled among the rough clods, and fell.
Blantyre groaned. " Now, Auster, do your
best ! ' He gave me a steady rein, I gathered
myself well together, and with one determined
leap cleared both dyke and bank.

Motionless among the heather, with her face
to the earth, lay my poor young mistress. Blan
tyre kneeled down and called her name — there
was no sound ; gently he turned her face up
ward, it was ghastly white, and the eyes were
closed. " Annie, dear Annie, do speak ! " but
there was no answer. He unbuttoned her habit,

148 BLACK BEAUTY

loosened her collar, felt her hands and wrists,
then started up and looked wildly round him
for help.

At no great distance there were two men cut
ting turf, who seeing Lizzie running wild with
out a rider had left their work to catch her.

Blantyre's halloo soon brought them to the
spot. The foremost man seemed much
troubled at the sight, and asked what he could do.

" Can you ride ? "

" Well, sir, I bean't much of a horseman, but
I'd risk my neck for the Lady Anne ; she was
uncommon good to my wife in the winter."

" Then mount this horse, my friend ; your
neck will be quite safe, and ride to the Doctor's
and ask him to come instantly — then on to the
Hall — tell them all that you know, and bid them
send me the carriage with Lady Anne's maid
and help. I shall stay here."

"All right, sir, I'll do my best, and I pray
God the dear young lady may open her eyes
soon." Then seeing the other man, he called
out, " Here, Joe, run for some water, and tell my
missis to come as quick as she can to the Lady
Anne."

He then somehow scrambled into the saddle,
and with a " Gee up " and a clap on my sides
with both his legs, he started on his journey,

BLACK BEAUTY 149

making a little circuit to avoid the dyke. He
had no whip, which seemed to trouble him, but
my pace soon cured that difficulty, and he found
the best thing he could do was to stick to the
saddle, and hold me in, which he did man
fully. I shook him as little as I could help,
but once or twice on the rough ground he called
out, " Steady ! Woah! Steady." On the high
road we were all right ; and at the Doctor's and
the Hall, he did his errand like a good man and
true. They asked him in to take a drop of
something. " No ! no," he said, " I'll be back
to 'em again by a short cut through the fields,
and be there afore the carriage."

There was a great deal of hurry and excite
ment after the news became known. I was just
turned into my box, the saddle and bridle were
taken off, and a cloth thrown over me.

Ginger was saddled and sent off in great
haste for Lord George, and I soon heard the
carriage roll out of the yard.

It seemed a long time before Ginger came
back and before we were left alone ; and then
she told me all that she had seen.

" I can't tell much," she said ; " we went a
gallop nearly all the way, and got there just as
the Doctor rode up. There was a woman sit
ting on the ground with the lady's head in her

I5O BLACK BEAUTY

lap. The Doctor poured something into her
mouth, but all that I heard was 'she is not
dead/ Then I was led off by a man to a little
distance. After awhile she was taken to the
carriage, and we came home together. I heard
my master say to a gentleman who stopped him
to enquire, that he hoped no bones were broken,
but that she had not spoken yet."

When Lord George took Ginger for hunting,
York shook his head ; he said it ought to be a
steady hand to train a horse for the first season,
and not a random rider like Lord George.

Ginger used to like it very much, but some
times when she came back, I could see that she
had been very much strained, and now and
then she gave a short cough. She had too much
spirit to complain but I could not help feeling
anxious about her.

Two days after the accident, Blantyre paid
me a visit : he patted me and praised me very
much, he told Lord George that he was sure the
horse knew of Annie's danger as well as he did.
" I could not have held him in, if I would," said
he ; " she ought never to ride any other horse."
I found by their conversation, that my young
mistress was now out of danger, and would soon
be able to ride again. This was good news to
me, and I looked forward to a happy life.

CHAPTER XXV

REUBEN SMITH

I MUST now say a little about Reuben Smith,
who was left in charge of the stables when
York went to London. No one more
thoroughly understood his business than he did,
and when he was all right, there could not be a
more faithful or valuable man. He was gentle
and very clever in his management of horses,
and could doctor them almost as well as a
farrier, for he had lived two years with a vet
erinary surgeon. He was a first-rate driver ; he
could take a four-in-hand, or a tandem, as
easily as a pair. He was a handsome man, a
good scholar, and had very pleasant manners.
I believe everybody liked him ; certainly the
horses did ; the only wonder was, that he should
be in an under situation, and not in the place
of a head coachman like York : but he had one
great fault, and that was the love of drink. He
was not like some men, always at it ; he used
to keep steady for weeks or months together ;
and then he would break out and have a
" bout " of it, as York called it, and be a dis-

152 BLACK BEAUTY

grace to himself, a terror to his wife, and a
nuisance to all that had to do with him. He
was, however, so useful, that two or three times
York had hushed the matter up, and kept it
from the Earl's knowledge ; but one night, when
Reuben had to drive a party home from a ball,
he was so drunk that he could not hold the
reins, and a gentleman of the party had to
mount the box and drive the ladies home. Of
course this could not be hidden, and Reuben
was at once dismissed ; his poor wife and little
children had to turn out of the pretty cottage
by the Park gate and go where they could. Old
Max told me all this, for it happened a good
while ago ; but shortly before Ginger and I
came Smith had been taken back again. York
had interceded for him with the Earl, who is very
kind-hearted, and the man had promised faith
fully that he would never taste another drop as
long as he lived there. He had kept his promise
so well that York thought he might be safely
trusted to fill his place whilst he was away, and
he was so clever and honest, that no one else
seemed so well fitted for it.

It was now early in April, and the family
was expected home some time in May. The
light brougham was to be fresh done up, and
as Colonel Blantyre was obliged to return to

BLACK BEAUTY 153

his regiment, it was arranged that Smith should
drive him to the town in it, and ride back ; for
this purpose he took the saddle with him, and
I was chosen for the journey. At the station
the Colonel put some money into Smith's hand
and bid him good-bye, saying, " Take care of
your young mistress, Reuben, and don't let
Black Auster be hacked about by any random
young prig that wants to ride him — keep him
for the lady."

We left the carriage at the maker's, and
Smith rode me to the White Lion, and ordered
the ostler to feed me well and have me ready
for him at four o'clock. A nail in one of my
front shoes had started as I came along, but the
ostler did not notice it till just about four
o'clock. Smith did not come into the yard till
five, and then he said he should not leave till
six, as he had met with some old friends. The
man then told him of the nail, and asked if he
should have the shoe looked to.

" No," said Smith, " that will be all right till
we get home."

He spoke in a very loud off-hand way, and
I thought it very unlike him, not to see about
the shoe, as he was generally wonderfully par
ticular about loose nails in our shoes. He did
not come at six, nor seven, nor eight, and it

154 BLACK BEAUTY

was nearly nine o'clock before he called for me,
and then it was with a loud rough voice. He
seemed in a very bad temper, and abused the
ostler, though I could not tell what for.

The landlord stood at the door and said,
" Have a care, Mr. Smith ! " but he answered
angrily with an oath ; and almost before he
was out of the town he began to gallop, fre
quently giving me a sharp cut with his whip,
though I was going at full speed. The moon
had not yet risen, and it was very dark. The
roads were stony, having been recently
mended ; going over them at this pace, my shoe
became looser and when we were near the turn
pike gate it came off.

If Smith had been in his right senses, he
would have been sensible of something wrong
in my pace ; but he was too madly drunk to
notice anything.

Beyond the turnpike was a long piece of road,
upon which fresh stones had just been laid;
large sharp stones, over which no horse could
be driven quickly without risk of danger. Over
this road, with one shoe gone, I was forced to
gallop at my utmost speed, my rider meanwhile
cutting into me with his whip, and with wild
curses urging me to go still faster. Of course my
shoeless foot suffered dreadfully ; the hoof was

BLACK BEAUTY 155

broken and split down to the very quick, and
the inside was terribly cut by the sharpness of
the stones.

This could not go on ; no horse could keep
his footing under such circumstances, the pain
was too great. I stumbled, and fell with violence
on both my knees. Smith was flung off by my
fall, and owing to the speed I was going at, he
must have fallen with great force. I soon re
covered my feet and limped to the side of the
road, where it was free from stones. The moon
had just risen above the hedge, and by its light
I could see Smith lying a few yards beyond me.
He did not rise, he made one slight effort to do
so, and then there was a heavy groan. I could
have groaned too, for I was suffering intense
pain both from my foot and knees ; but horses
are used to bear their pain in silence. I uttered
no sound, but I stood there and listened. One
more heavy groan from Smith ; but though he
now lay in the full moonlight, I could see no
motion. I could do nothing for him nor my
self, but, oh! how I listened for the sound of
horse, or wheels, or footsteps. The road was not
much frequented, and at this time of the night
we might stay for hours before help came to us.
I stood watching and listening. It was a calm
sweet April night; there were no sounds, but

156 BLACK BEAUTY

a few low notes of a nightingale, and nothing
moved but the white clouds near the moon, and
a brown owl that flitted over the hedge. It made
me think of the summer nights long ago, when
I used to lie beside my mother in the green
pleasant meadow at Farmer Grey's.

CHAPTER XXVI

HOW IT ENDED

IT must have been nearly midnight, when I
heard at a great distance the sound of a
horse's feet. Sometimes the sound died away,
then it grew clearer again and nearer. The
road to Earlshall led through plantations that
belonged to the Earl : the sound came in that
direction, and I hoped it might be some one
coming in search of us. As the sound came
nearer and nearer, I was almost sure I could
distinguish Ginger's step; a little nearer still,
and I could tell she was in the dog-cart. I
neighed loudly, and was overjoyed to hear an
answering neigh from Ginger, and men's
voices. They came slowly over the stones, and
stopped at the dark figure that lay upon the
ground.

One of the men jumped out, and stooped
down over it. " It is Reuben ! " he said, " and
he does not stir."

The other man followed and bent over him.
" He's dead," he said ; " feel how cold his hands
are."

157

158 BLACK BEAUTY

They raised him up, but there was no life,
and his hair was soaked with blood. They laid
him down again, and came and looked at me.
They soon saw my cut knees.

" Why, the horse has been down and thrown
him! Who would have thought the black
horse would have done that ? Nobody thought
he could fall. Reuben must have been lying
here for hours! Odd, too, that the horse has
not moved from the place."

Robert then attempted to lead me forward.
I made a step, but almost fell again.

" Hallo ! he's bad in his foot as well as his
knees ; look here — his hoof is cut all to pieces,
he might well come down, poor fellow ! I tell
you what, Ned, I'm afraid it hasn't been all
right with Reuben ! Just think of him riding
a horse over these stones without a shoe ! Why,
if he had been in his right senses, he would just
as soon have tried to ride him over the moon.
I'm afraid it has been the old thing over again.
Poor Susan ! she looked awfully pale when she
came to my house to ask if he had not come
home. She made believe she was not a bit
anxious, and talked of a lot of things that might
have kept him. But for all that, she begged me
to go and meet him — but what must we
do? There's the horse to get home as well

BLACK BEAUTY I5Q

as the body — and that will be no easy
matter."

Then followed a conversation between them,
till it was agreed that Robert as the groom
should lead me, and that Ned must take the
body. It was a hard job to get it into the dog
cart, for there was no one to hold Ginger ; but
she knew as well as I did what was going on,
and stood as still as a stone. I noticed that, be
cause, if she had a fault, it was that she was im
patient in standing.

Ned started off very slowly with his sad load,
and Robert came and looked at my foot again ;
then he took his handkerchief and bound it
closely round, and so he led me home. I shall
never forget that night walk ; it was more than
three miles. Robert led me on very slowly,
and I limped and hobbled on as well as
I could with great pain. I am sure he was
sorry for me, for he often patted and en
couraged me, talking to me in a pleasant
voice.

At last I reached my own box, and had some
corn, and after Robert had wrapped up my
knees in wet cloths, he tied up my foot in a
bran poultice to draw out the heat, and cleanse
it before the horse doctor saw it in the morning,
and I managed to get myself down on the

l6o BLACK BEAUTY

straw, and slept in spite of the pain.

The next day, after the farrier had examined
my wounds, he said he hoped the joint was not
injured, and if so, I should not be spoiled for
work, but I should never lose the blemish. I
believe they did the best to make a good cure,
but it was a long and painful one ; proud flesh,
as they called it, came up in my knees, and was
burnt out with caustic, and when at last it was
healed, they put a blistering fluid over the front
of both knees to bring all the hair off: they
had some reason for this, and I suppose it was
all right.

As Smith's death had been so sudden, and
no one was there to see it, there was an inquest
held. The landlord and ostler at the White
Lion, with several other people, gave evidence
that he was intoxicated when he started from
the inn. The keeper of the toll-gate said he
rode at a hard gallop through the gate; and
my shoe was picked up amongst the stones, so
that the case was quite plain to them, and I was
cleared of all blame.

Everybody pitied Susan ; she was nearly out
of her mind: she kept saying over and over
again, " Oh ! he was so good — so good ! it was
all that cursed drink; why will they sell that
cursed drink ? Oh, Reuben, Reuben ! " So she

BLACK BEAUTY l6l

went on till after he was buried, and then, as
she had no home or relations, she, with her six
little children, were obliged once more to leave
the pleasant home by the tall oak trees, and
go into that great gloomy Union House.

CHAPTER XXVII

RUINED, AND GOING DOWN-HILL

AS soon as my knees were sufficiently
healed, I was turned into a small meadow
for a month or two ; no other creature was
there, and though I enjoyed the liberty and the
sweet grass, yet I had been so long used to
society that I felt very lonely. Ginger and I
had become fast friends, and now I missed her
company extremely. I often neighed when I
heard horses' feet passing in the road, but I
seldom got an answer; till one morning the
gate was opened, and who should come in but
dear old Ginger. The man slipped off her halter
and left her there. With a joyful whinny I
trotted up to her ; we were both glad to meet,
but I soon found that it was not for our pleasure
that she was brought to be with me. Her story
would be too long to tell, but the end of it
was that she had been ruined by hard rid
ing, and was now turned off to see what rest
would do.

Lord George was young and would take no
warning ; he was a hard rider, and would hunt

162

BLACK BEAUTY 163

whenever he could get the chance, quite care
less of his horse. Soon after I left the stable
there was a steeplechase, and he determined to
ride. Though the groom told him she was a
little strained, and was not fit for the race, he
did not believe it, and on the day of the race
urged Ginger to keep up with the foremost
riders. With her high spirit, she strained her
self to the utmost; she came in with the first
three horses, but her wind was touched, beside
which, he was too heavy for her, and her back
was strained ; " And so," she said, " here we
are — ruined in the prime of our youth and
strength — you by a drunkard, and I by a fool ;
it is very hard." We both felt in ourselves that
we were not what we had been. However, that
did not spoil the pleasure we had in each other's
company ; we did not gallop about as we once
did, but we used to feed, and lie down together,
and stand for hours under one of the shady
lime trees with our heads close to each other ;
and so we passed our time till the family re
turned from town.

One day we saw the Earl come into the
meadow, and York was with him. Seeing who
it was, we stood still under our lime tree, and
let them come up to us. They examined us
carefully. The Earl seemed much annoyed.

164 BLACK BEAUTY

" There is three hundred pounds flung away
for no earthly use," said he ; " but what I care
most for is, that these horses of my old friend,
who thought they would find a good home with
me, are ruined. The mare shall have a twelve
month's run, and we shall see what that will
do for her ; but the black one, he must be sold ;
'tis a great pity, but I could not have knees like
these in my stables."

"No, my lord, of course not," said York;
" but he might get a place where appearance
is not of much consequence, and still be well
treated. I know a man in Bath, the master of
some livery stables, who often wants a good
horse at a low figure ; I know he looks well
after his horses. The inquest cleared the horse's
character, and your lordship's recommenda
tion, or mine, would be sufficient warrant for
him."

" You had better write to him, York. I should
be more particular about the place than the
money he would fetch."

After this they left us.

' They'll soon take you away," said Ginger,
" and I shall lose the only friend I have, and
most likely we shall never see each other again.
'Tis a hard world ! '

About a week after this, .Robert came into

BLACK BEAUTY 165

the field with a halter, which he slipped
over my head, and led me away. There
was no leave-taking of Ginger; we neighed
to each other as I was led off, and she trotted
anxiously along by the hedge calling to me
as long as she could hear the sound of my
feet

Through the recommendation of York, I was
bought by the master of the livery stables. I
had to go by train, which was new to me, and
required a good deal of courage the first time ;
but as I found the puffing, rushing, whistling,
and more than all, the trembling of the horse
box in which I stood did me no real harm, I
soon took it quietly.

When I reached the end of my journey, I
found myself in a tolerably comfortable stable
and well attended to. These stables were not
so airy and pleasant as those I had been
used to. The stalls were laid on a slope in
stead of being level, and as my head was kept
tied to the manger, I was obliged always to
stand on the slope, which was very fatiguing.
Men do not seem to know yet that horses can
do more work if they can stand comfortably
and can turn about : however, I was well fed
and well cleaned, and, on the whole, I think
our master took as much care of us as he could.

l66 BLACK BEAUTY

He kept a good many horses and carriages of
different kinds, for hire. Sometimes his own
men drove them ; at others, the horse and chaise
were let to gentlemen or ladies who drove them
selves.

CHAPTER XXVIII

A JOB HORSE AND HIS DRIVERS

HITHERTO I had always been driven by
people who at least knew how to drive ;
but in this place I was to get my experience of
all the different kinds of bad and ignorant
driving to which we horses are subjected ; for I
was a "job horse," and was let out to all sorts
of people, who wished to hire me ; and as I was
good-tempered and gentle, I think I was oftener
let out to the ignorant drivers than some of the
other horses, because I could be depended
upon. It would take a long time to tell of all
the different styles in which I was driven, but
I will mention a few of them.

First, there were the tight-rein drivers — men
who seemed to think that all depended on hold
ing the reins as hard as they could, never re
laxing the pull on the horse's mouth, or giving
him the least liberty of movement. They are
always talking about " keeping the horse well
in hand," and " holding a horse up," just as if
a horse was not made to hold himself up.

Some poor broken-down horses, whose

167

l68 BLACK BEAUTY

mouths have been made hard and insensible by
just such drivers as these, may, perhaps, find
some support in it ; but for a horse who can de
pend upon its own legs, and who has a tender
mouth, and is easily guided, it is not only tor
menting, but it is stupid.

Then there are the loose-rein drivers, who
let the reins lie easily on our backs, and their
own hand rest lazily on their knees. Of course,
such gentlemen have no control over a horse,
if anything happens suddenly. If a horse shies,
or starts, or stumbles, they are nowhere and
cannot help the horse or themselves, till the
mischief is done. Of course, for myself, I had
no objection to it, as I was not in the habit
either of starting or stumbling, and had only
been used to depend on my driver for guid
ance and encouragement ; still, one likes to feel
the rein a little in going down-hill, and likes
to know that one's driver is not gone to sleep.

Besides, a slovenly way of driving gets a
horse into bad, and often lazy habits ; and
when he changes hands, he has to be whipped
out of them with more or less pain and trouble.
Squire Gordon always kept us to our best
paces, and our best manners. He said that
spoiling a horse, and letting him get into bad
habits, was just as cruel as spoiling a child,

BLACK BEAUTY 169

and both had to suffer for it afterwards.

Besides these drivers are often careless alto
gether, and will attend to anything else rather
than their htfrses. I went out in the phaeton
one day with one of them ; he had a lady, and
two children behind. He flopped the reins
about as we started, and of course gave me
several unmeaning cuts with the whip, though
I was fairly off. There had been a good deal of
road-mending going on, and even where the
stones were not freshly laid down there were a
great many loose ones about. My driver was
laughing and joking with the lady and the chil
dren, and talking about the country to the right
and the left; but he never thought it worth
while to keep an eye on his horse, or to drive
on the smoothest parts of the road ; and so it
easily happened that I got a stone in one of my
fore feet.

Now, if Mr. Gordon, or John, or in fact any
good driver had been there he would have seen
that something was wrong before I had gone
three paces. Or even if it had been dark, a
practised hand would have felt by the rein that
there was something wrong in the step, and they
would have got down and picked out the stone.
But this man went on laughing and talking,
whilst at every step the stone became more
36*

I7O BLACK BEAUTY

firmly wedged between my shoe and the frog
of my foot. The stone was sharp on the inside
and round on the outside, which, as every one
knows, is the most dangerous kind that a horse
can pick up ; at the same time cutting his foot,
and making him most liable to stumble and
fall.

Whether the man was partly blind, or only
very careless, I can't say; but he drove me
with that stone in my foot for a good half-mile
before he saw anything. By that time I was
going so lame with the pain, that at last he saw
it and called out, " Well, here's a go ! Why
they have sent us out with a lame horse ! What
a shame! '

He then chucked the reins and flipped about
with the whip, saying, " Now, then, it's no use
playing the old soldier with me; there's the
journey to go and it's no use turning lame and
lazy."

Just at this time a farmer came riding up
on a brown cob ; he lifted his hat and pulled
up.

" I beg your pardon, sir," he said, " but I
think there is something the matter with your
horse, he goes very much as if he had a stone
in his shoe. If you will allow me, I will look
at his feet ; these loose scattered stones are con-

BLACK BEAUTY Ijl

founded dangerous things for the horses."

" He's a hired horse," said my driver ; " I
don't know what's the matter with him, but it's
a great shame to send out a lame beast like
this."

The farmer dismounted, and slipping his rein
over his arm, at once took up my near foot.

" Bless me, there's a stone ! Lame ! I should
think so! "

At first he tried to dislodge it with his hand,
but as it was now very tightly wedged, he drew
a stone-pick out of his pocket, and very care
fully, and with some trouble, got it out. Then
holding it up, he said, " There, that's the stone
your horse had picked up ; it is a wonder he did
not fall down and break his knees into the bar
gain! "

" Well, to be sure ! " said my driver, " that is
a queer thing ! I never knew that horses picked
up stones before."

" Didn't you ? " said the farmer, rather con
temptuously ; " but they do, though, and the
best of them will do it, and can't help it some
times on such roads as these. And if you don't
want to lame your horse, you must look sharp
and get them out quickly. This foot is very
much bruised," he said, setting it gently down
and patting me. "If I might advise, sir,

172 BLACK BEAUTY

you had better drive him gently for a while ; the
foot is a good deal hurt, and the lameness will
not go off directly."

Then mounting his cob and raising his hat to
the lady, he trotted off.

When he was gone, my driver began to flop
the reins about, and whip the harness, by which
I understood that I was to go on, which of
course I did, glad that the stone was gone, but
still in a good deal of pain.

This was the sort of experience we job horses
often came in for.

CHAPTER XXIX

COCKNEYS

there is the steam-engine style of
driving ; these drivers were mostly people
from towns, who never had a horse of their
own, and generally travelled by rail.

They always seemed to think that a horse
was something like a steam-engine, only
smaller. At any rate, they think that if only
they pay for it, a horse is bound to go just as
far, and just as fast, and with just as heavy
a load as they please. And be the roads heavy
and muddy, or dry and good ; be they stony or
smooth, up-hill or down-hill, it is all the same
— on, on, on, one must go at the same pace,
with no relief, and no consideration.

These people never think of getting out to
walk up a steep hill. Oh, no, they have paid
to ride, and ride they will ! The horse ? Oh,
he's used to it! What were horses made for,
if not to drag people up-hill ? Walk ! A good
joke indeed ! And so the whip is plied and the
rein is chucked, and often a rough scolding
voice cries out, " Go along, you lazy beast ! '

173

174 BLACK BEAUTY

And then another slash of the whip, when all
the time we are doing our very best to get along,
uncomplaining and obedient, though often
sorely harassed and down-hearted.

This steam-engine style of driving wears us
up faster than any other kind. I would far
rather go twenty miles with a good considerate
driver, than I would go ten with some of these ;
it would take less out of me.

Another thing — they scarcely ever put on the
drag, however steep the down-hill may be, and
thus bad accidents sometimes happen ; or if
they do put it on, they often forget to take it
off at the bottom of the hill ; and more than
once I have had to pull half-way up the next
hill, with one of the wheels lodged fast in the
drag-shoe, before my driver chose to think
about it; and that is a terrible strain on a
horse.

Then these Cockneys, instead of starting at
an easy pace as a gentleman would do, gener
ally set off at full speed from the very stable
yard; and when they want to stop, they first
whip us and then pull up so suddenly, that we
are nearly thrown on our haunches, and our
mouths jagged with the bit ; they call that pull
ing up with a dash! and when they turn a
corner, they do it as sharply as if there were

BLACK BEAUTY 175

no right side or wrong side of the road.

I well remember one spring evening I and
Rory had been out for the day. (Rory was the
horse that mostly went with me when a pair
was ordered, and a good honest fellow he was.)
We had our own driver, and as he was always
considerate and gentle with us, we had a very
pleasant day. We were coming home at a good
smart pace about twilight; our road turned
sharp to the left ; but as we were dose to the
hedge on our own side, and there was plenty
of room to pass, our driver did not pull us in.
As we neared the corner I heard a horse and
two wheels coming rapidly down the hill to
wards us. The hedge was high and I could
see nothing, but the next moment we were upon
each other. Happily for me, I was on the side
next the hedge. Rory was on the right side of
the pole, and had not even a shaft to protect
him. The man who was driving was making
straight for the corner, and when he came in
sight of us he had no time to pull over to his
own side. The whole shock came upon Rory.
The gig shaft ran right into the chest, making
him stagger back with a cry that I shall never
forget. The other horse was thrown upon his
haunches, and one shaft broken. It turned out
that it was a horse from our own stables, with

176 BLACK BEAUTY

the high-wheeled gig, that the young men were
so fond of.

The driver was one of those random, ignorant
fellows, who don't even know which is their
own side of the road, or if they know, don't
care. And there was poor Rory with his flesh
torn open and bleeding, and the blood stream
ing down. They said if it had been a little
more to one side, it would have killed him ; and
a good thing for him, poor fellow, if it had.

As it was, it was a long time before the wound
healed, and then he was sold for coal carting ;
and what that is, up and down those steep hills,
only horses know. Some of the sights I saw
there, where a horse had to come down-hill
with a heavily-loaded two-wheel cart behind
him, on which no drag could be placed, make
me sad even now to think of.

After Rory was disabled, I often went in the
carriage with a mare named Peggy, who stood
in the next stall to mine. She was a strong, well-
made animal, of a bright dun colour, beautifully
dappled, and with a dark-brown mane and tail.
There was no high breeding about her, but
she was very pretty, and remarkably sweet-
tempered and willing. Still, there was an
anxious look about her eye, by which I knew
that she had some trouble. The first time we

BLACK BEAUTY 177

went out together I thought she had a very odd
pace ; she seemed to go partly in a trot, partly
in a canter — three or four paces, and then to
make a little jump forward.

It was very unpleasant for any horse who
pulled with her, and made me quite fidgety.
When we got home, I asked her what made her
go in that odd, awkward way.

" Ah," she said in a troubled manner, " I
know my paces are very bad, but what can I
do ? It really is not my fault, it is just because
my legs are so short. I stand nearly as high as
you, but your legs are a good three inches
longer above your knees than mine, and of
course you can take a much longer step, and
go much faster. You see I did not make my
self ; I wish I could have done so, I would have
had long legs then ; all my troubles come from
my short legs," said Peggy, in a desponding
tone.

" But how is it," I said, " when you are so
strong and good-tempered and willing ? "

" Why you see," said she, " men will go so
fast, and if one can't keep up to other horses,
it is nothing but whip, whip, whip, all the time.
And so I have had to keep up as I could, and
have got into this ugly shuffling pace. It was
not always so ; when I lived with my first mas-

178 BLACK BEAUTY

ter I always went a good regular trot, but then
he was not in such a hurry. He was a young
clergyman in the country, and a good kind
master he was. He had two churches a good
way apart, and a great deal of work, but he
never scolded or whipped me for not going
faster. He was very fond of me. I only wish
I was with him now ; but he had to leave and
go to a large town, and then I was sold to a
farmer.

" Some farmers, you know, are capital mas
ters ; but I think this one was a low sort of man.
He cared nothing about good horses, or good
driving ; he only cared for going fast. I went
as fast as I could, but that would not do, and
he was always whipping ; so I got into this way
of making a spring forward to keep up. On
market nights he used to stay very late at the
inn, and then drive home at a gallop.

" One dark night he was galloping home as
usual, when all on a sudden the wheel came
against some great heavy thing in the road, and
turned the gig over in a minute. He was thrown
out and his arm broken, and some of his ribs,
I think. At any rate, it was the end of my living
with him, and I was not sorry. But you see it
will be the same everywhere for me, if men
must go so fast. I wish my legs were longer ! "

BLACK BEAUTY 179

Poor Peggy ! I was very sorry for her, and
I could not comfort her, for I knew how hard
it was upon slow-paced horses to be put with
fast ones ; all the whipping comes to their share,
and they can't help it.

She was often used in the phaeton, and was
very much liked by some of the ladies, because
she was so gentle ; and some time after this she
was sold to two ladies who drove themselves,
and wanted a safe good horse.

I met her several times out in the country,
going a good steady pace, and looking as gay
and contented as a horse could be. I was very
glad to see her, for she deserved a good place.

After she left us, another horse came in her
stead. He was young, and had a bad name for
shying and starting, by which he had lost a
good place. I asked him what made him shy.

" Well, I hardly know," he said ; " I was
timid when I was young, and was a good deal
frightened several times, and if I saw anything
strange, I used to turn and look at it — you see,
with our blinkers one can't see or understand
what a thing is unless one looks round; and
then my master always gave me a whipping,
which of course made me start on, and did not
make me less afraid. I think if he would have
let me just look at things quietly, and see that

l8o BLACK BEAUTY

there was nothing to hurt me, it would have
been all right, and I should have got used to
them. One day an old gentleman was riding
with him, and a large piece of white paper or
rag blew across just on one side of me ; I shied
and started forward — my master as usual
whipped me smartly, but the old man cried
out, ' You're wrong ! you're wrong ! you should
never whip a horse for shying: he shies be
cause he is frightened, and you only frighten
him more, and make the habit worse.' So I sup
pose all men don't do so. I am sure I don't
want to shy for the sake of it ; but how should
one know what is dangerous and what is not,
if one is never allowed to get used to anything ?
I am never afraid of what I know. Now I was
brought up in a park where there were deer ;
of course, I knew them as well as I did a sheep
or a cow, but they are not common, and I know
many sensible horses who are frightened at
them, and who kick up quite a shindy before
they will pass a paddock where there are deer."

I knew what my companion said was true,
and I wished that every young horse had as
good a master as Farmer Grey and Squire Gor
don.

Of course we sometimes came in for good
driving here. I remember one morning I was

BLACK BEAUTY l8l

put into the light gig, and taken to a house in
Pulteney Street. Two gentlemen came out ; the
taller of them came round to my head, he
looked at the bit and bridle, and just shifted
the collar with his hand, to see if it fitted com
fortably.

" Do you consider this horse wants a curb ? "
he said to the ostler.

" Well," said the man, " I should say he
would go just as well without, he has an un
common good mouth, and though he has a fine
spirit, he has no vice; but we generally find
people like the curb."

" I don't like it," said the gentleman : " be so
good as to take it off, and put the rein in at the
cheek ; an easy mouth is a great thing on a
long journey, is it not, old fellow ? " he said,
patting my neck.

Then he took the reins, and they both got up.
I can remember now how quietly he turned me
round, and then with a light feel of the rein,
and drawing the whip gently across my back,
we were off.

I arched my neck and set off at my best pace.
I found I had some one behind me who knew
how a good horse ought to be driven. It seemed
like old times again, and made me feel quite
gay.

l82 BLACK BEAUTY

This gentleman took a great liking to me,
and after trying me several times with the
saddle, he prevailed upon my master to sell me
to a friend of his, who wanted a safe pleasant
horse for riding. And so it came to pass that in
the summer I was sold to Mr. Barry.

CHAPTER XXX

A THIEF

MY new master was an unmarried man.
He lived at Bath, and was much engaged
in business. His doctor advised him to take
horse exercise, and for this purpose he bought
me. He hired a stable a short distance from his
lodgings, and engaged a man named Filcher
as groom. My master knew very little about
horses, but he treated me well, and I should
have had a good and easy place, but for cir
cumstances of which he was ignorant. He or
dered the best hay with plenty of oats, crushed
beans, and bran, with vetches, or rye grass, as
the man might think needful. I heard the mas
ter give the order, so I knew there was plenty
of good food, and I thought I was well off.

For a few days all went on well ; I found that
my groom understood his business. He kept
the stable clean and airy, and he groomed me
thoroughly ; and was never otherwise than
gentle. He had been an ostler in one of the
great hotels in Bath. He had given that up,
and now cultivated fruit and vegetables for the

183

184 BLACK BEAUTY

market ; and his wife bred and fattened poultry
and rabbits for sale. After a while it seemed
to me that my oats came very short ; I had the
beans, but bran was mixed with them instead
of oats, of which there were very few ; certainly
not more than a quarter of what there should
have been. In two or three weeks this began
to tell upon my strength and spirits. The grass
food, though very good, was not the thing to
keep up my condition without corn. However,
I could not complain, nor make known my
wants. So it went on for about two months ;
and I wondered my master did not see that
something was the matter. However, one after
noon he rode out into the country to see a
friend of his — a gentleman farmer, who lived
on the road to Wells. This gentleman had a
very quick eye for horses ; and after he had
welcomed his friend, he said, casting his eye
over me —

" It seems to me, Barry, that your horse does
not look so well as he did when you first had
him ; has he been well ? "

" Yes, I believe so," said my master ; " but he
is not nearly so lively as he was; my groom
tells me that horses are always dull and weak
in the autumn, and that I must expect it."

"Autumn! fiddlesticks! " said the farmer;

BLACK BEAUTY 185

" why this is only August ; and with your light
work and good food he ought not to go down
like this, even if it was autumn. How do you
feed him?"

My master told him. The other shook his
head slowly, and began to feel me over.

" I can't say who eats your corn, my dear
fellow, but I am much mistaken if your horse
gets it. Have you ridden very fast ? "

" No ! very gently."

"Then just put your hand here," said he,
passing his hand over my neck and shoulder ;
" he is as warm and damp as a horse just come
up from grass. I advise you to look into your
stable a little more. I hate to be suspicious,
and, thank heaven, I have no cause to be, for
I can trust my men, present or absent; but
there are mean scoundrels, wicked enough to
rob a dumb beast of his food ; you must look
into it." And turning to his man who had come
to take me, " Give this horse a right good feed
of bruised oats, and don't stint him."

" Dumb beasts ! " yes we are ; but if I could
have spoken, I could have told my master
where his oats went to. My groom used to come
every morning about six o'clock, and with him
a little boy, who always had a covered basket
with him. He used to go with his father into

l86 BLACK BEAUTY

the harness room where the corn was kept, and
I could see them when the door stood ajar, fill
a little bag with oats out of the bin and then
he used to be off.

Five or six mornings after this, just as the
boy had left the stable, the door was pushed
open and a policeman walked in, holding the
child tight by the arm ; another policeman fol
lowed, and locked the door on the inside, say
ing, " Show me the place where your father
keeps his rabbits' food."

The boy looked very frightened and began
to cry ; but there was no escape, and he led the
way to the corn-bin. Here the policeman found
another empty bag like that which was found
full of oats in the boy's basket.

Filcher was cleaning my feet at the time, but
they soon saw him, and though he blustered a
good deal, they walked him off to the " lock
up," and his boy with him. I heard afterwards,
that the boy was not held to be guilty, but the
man was sentenced to prison for two months.

CHAPTER XXXI

A HUMBUG

MY master was not immediately suited, but
in a few days my new groom came. He
was a tall, good-looking fellow enough ; but if
ever there was a humbug in the shape of a
groom, Alfred Smirk was the man. He was
very civil to me, and never used me ill ; in fact,
he did a great deal of stroking and patting,
when his master was there to see it. He always
brushed my mane and tail with water, and my
hoofs with oil before he brought me to the door,
to make me look smart ; but as to cleaning my
feet, or looking to my shoes, or grooming me
thoroughly, he thought no more of that than if
I had been a cow. He left my bit rusty, my
saddle damp, and my crupper stiff.

Alfred Smirk considered himself very hand
some ; he spent a great deal of time about his
hair, whiskers, and necktie, before a little look
ing-glass in the harness room. When his master
was speaking to him, it was always, " Yes, sir ;
yes, sir ; " touching his hat at every word ; and

every one thought he was a very nice young

187

l88 BLACK BEAUTY

man, and that Mr. Barry was very fortunate to
meet with him. I should say he was the laziest,
most conceited fellow I ever came near. Of
course it was a great thing not to be ill-used,
but then a horse wants more than that. I had
a loose box, and might have been very comfort
able if he had not been too indolent to clean it
out He never took all the straw away, and
the smell from what lay underneath was very
bad ; while the strong vapours that rose up,
made my eyes smart and inflame, and I did not
feel the same appetite for my food.

One day his master came in and said,
" Alfred, the stable smells rather strong ; should
not you give that stall a good scrub, and throw
down plenty of water ? "

" Well, sir," he said, touching his cap, " I'll
do so if you please, sir, but it is rather dan
gerous, sir, throwing down water in a horse's
box, they are very apt to take cold, sir. I
should not like to do him an injury, but I'll do
it if you please, sir."

" Well," said his master, " I should not like
him to take cold, but I don't like the smell of
this stable; do you think the drains are all
right?"

" Well, sir, now you mention it, I think the
drain does sometimes send back a smell ; there

BLACK BEAUTY

may be something wrong, sir."

"Then send for the bricklayer and have it
seen to," said his master.

" Yes, sir, I will."

The bricklayer came and pulled up a great
many bricks, and found nothing amiss ; so he
put down some lime and charged the master
five shillings, and the smell in my box was as
bad as ever : but that was not all — standing as
I did on a quantity of moist straw, my feet grew
unhealthy and tender, and the master used to
say—

" I don't know what is the matter with this
horse, he goes very fumble-footed. I am some
times afraid he will stumble."

' Yes, sir," said Alfred, " I have noticed the
same myself, when I have exercised him."

Now the fact was, that he hardly ever did
exercise me, and when the master was busy, I
often stood for days together without stretch
ing my legs at all, and yet being fed just as
high as if I were at hard work. This often dis
ordered my health, and made me sometimes
heavy and dull, but more often restless and
feverish. He never even gave me a meal of
green meat, or a bran mash, which would have
cooled me, for he was altogether as ignorant
as he was conceited ; and then, instead of exer-

IQ2 BLACK BEAUTY

else or change of food, I had to take horse balls
and draughts; which, beside the nuisance of
having them poured down my throat, used to
make me feel ill and uncomfortable.

One day my feet were so tender, that trotting
over some fresh stones with my master on my
back, I made two such serious stumbles, that
as he came down Lansdown into the city, he
stopped at the farrier's, and asked him to see
what was the matter with me. The man took
up my feet one by one and examined them ;
then standing up and dusting his hands one
against the other, he said —

" Your horse has got the ' thrush/ and badly
too ; his feet are very tender ; it is fortunate that
he has not been down. I wonder your groom
has not seen to it before. This is the sort of
thing we find in foul stables, where the litter
is never properly cleared out. If you will send
him here to-morrow, I will attend to the hoof,
and I will direct your man how to apply the
liniment which I will give him."

The next day I had my feet thoroughly
cleansed and stuffed with tow, soaked in some
strong lotion ; and a very unpleasant business
it was.

The farrier ordered all the litter to be taken
out of my box day by day, and the floor kept

BLACK BEAUTY IQ3

very clean. Then I was to have bran mashes,
a little green meat, and not so much corn, till
my feet were well again. With this treatment I
soon regained my spirits, but Mr. Barry was
so much disgusted at being twice deceived by
his grooms, that he determined to give up keep
ing a horse, and to hire when he wanted one.
I was therefore kept till my feet were quite
sound, and was then sold again.

37

PART THREE

CHAPTER XXXII

A HORSE FAIR

NO doubt a horse fair is a very amusing
place to those who have nothing to lose ; at
any rate, there is plenty to see.

Long strings of young horses out of the
country, fresh from the marshes; and droves
of shaggy little Welsh ponies, no higher than
Merrylegs ; and hundreds of cart horses of all
sorts, some of them with their long tails braided
up, and tied with scarlet cord ; and a good many
like myself, handsome and high-bred, but fallen
into the middle class, through some accident
or blemish, unsoundness of wind, or some other
complaint There were some splendid animals
quite in their prime, and fit for anything ; they
were throwing out their legs and showing off
their paces in high style, as they were trotted
out with a leading rein, the groom running by
the side. But round in the background there
were a number of poor things, sadly broken
down with hard work ; with their knees knuck
ling over, and their hind legs swinging out at
every step ; and there were some very dejected-

197

198 BLACK BEAUTY

looking old horses, with the under lip hanging
down, and the ears laying back heavily, as if
there was no more pleasure in life, and no more
hope ; there were some so thin, you might see
all their ribs, and some with old sores on their
backs and hips; these were sad sights for a
horse to look upon, who knows not but he may
come to the same state.

There was a great deal of bargaining; of
running up and beating down, and if a horse
may speak his mind so far as he understands,
I should say, there were more lies told, and
more trickery at that horse fair, than a clever
man could give an account of. I was put with
two or three other strong, useful-looking horses,
and a good many people came to look at us.
The gentlemen always turned from me when
they saw my broken knees; though the man
who had me swore it was only a slip in the stall.

The first thing was to pull my mouth open,
then to look at my eyes, then feel all the way
down my legs, and give me a hard feel of the
skin and flesh, and then try my paces. It was
wonderful what a difference there was in the
way these things were done. Some did it in a
rough off-hand way, as if one was only a piece
of wood ; while others would take their hands
gently over one's body, with a pat now and

BLACK BEAUTY 199

then, as much as to say, " by your leave." Of
course I judged a good deal of the buyers by
their manners to myself.

There was one man, I thought, if he would
buy me, I should be happy. He was not a
gentleman, nor yet one of the loud flashy sort
that called themselves so. He was rather a
small man, but well made, and quick in all his
motions. I knew in a moment by the way he
handled me, that he was used to horses; he
spoke gently, and his grey eye had a kindly,
cheery look in it. It may seem strange to say
— but it is true all the same — that the clean
fresh smell there was about him made me take
to him ; no smell of old beer and tobacco, which
I hated, but a fresh smell as if he had come
out of a hayloft. He offered twenty-three
pounds for me ; but that was refused, and he
walked away. I looked after him, but he was
gone, and a very hard-looking, loud-voiced man
came ; I was dreadfully afraid he would have
me ; but he walked off. One or two more came
who did not mean business. Then the hard-
faced man came back again and offered twenty-
three pounds. A very close bargain was being
driven; for my salesman began to think he
should not get all he asked, and must come
down ; but just then the grey-eyed man came

2OO BLACK BEAUTY

back again. I could not help reaching out my
heapl towards him. He stroked my face kindly.

" Well, old chap," he said, " I think we should
suit each other. I'll give twenty-four for him."

" Say twenty-five and you shall have him."

" Twenty-four ten," said my friend, in a very
decided tone, " and not another sixpence — yes
or no ? "

" Done," said the salesman, " and you may
depend upon it there's a monstrous deal of
quality in that horse, and if you want him for
cab work, he's a bargain."

The money was paid on the spot, and my
new master took my halter, and led me out of
the fair to an inn, where he had a saddle and
bridle ready. He gave me a good feed of oats,
and stood by whilst I ate it, talking to
himself, and talking to me. Half-an-hour
after we were on our way to London, through
pleasant lanes and country roads, until we
came into the great London thoroughfare,
on which we travelled steadily, till in the twi
light we reached the great City. The gas lamps
were already lighted ; there were streets to the
right, and streets to the left, and streets crossing
each other for mile upon mile. I thought we
should never come to the end of them. At last,
in passing through one, we came to a long cab

BLACK BEAUTY 201

stand, when my rider called out in a cheery
voice, " Good night, Governor ! '

" Halloo ! " cried a voice, " have you got a
good one ? "

" I think so," replied my owner.

" I wish you luck with him."

" Thank ye, Governor," and he rode on. We
soon turned up one of the side streets, and about
half-way up that, we turned into a very narrow
street, with rather poor-looking houses on one
side, and what seemed to be coach-houses and
stables on the other.

My owner pulled up at one of the houses and
whistled. The door flew open, and a young
woman, followed by a little girl and boy, ran
out. There was a very lively greeting as my
rider dismounted.

" Now, then, Harry, my boy, open the gates,
and mother will bring us the lantern."

The next minute they were all standing round
me in a small stable yard.

"Is he gentle, father?"

'Yes, Dolly, as gentle as your own kitten;
come and pat him."

At once the little hand was patting about all
over my shoulder without fear. How good it
felt!

" Let me get him a bran mash while you rub
37*

202 BLACK BEAUTY

him down," said the mother.

" Do, Polly, it's just what he wants, and I
know you've got a beautiful mash ready for
me."

" Sausage dumpling and apple turnover,"
shouted the boy, which set them all laughing.
I was led into a comfortable clean-smelling stall
with plenty of dry straw, and after a capital
supper, I lay down, thinking I was going to be
happy.

CHAPTER XXXIII

A LONDON CAB HORSE

MY new master's name was Jeremiah
Barker, but as every one called him Jerry,
I shall do the same. Polly, his wife, was just
as good a match as a man could have. She was
a plump, trim, tidy little woman, with smooth
dark hair, dark eyes, and a merry little mouth.
The boy was nearly twelve years old: a tall,
frank, good-tempered lad; and little Dorothy
(Dolly they called her) was her mother over
again, at eight years old. They were all won
derfully fond of each other ; I never knew such
a happy, merry family before, or since. Jerry
had a cab of his own, and two horses, which
he drove and attended to himself. His other
horse was a tall, white, rather large-boned
animal, called Captain; he was old now, but
when he was young he must have been
splendid ; he had still a proud way of holding
his head and arching his neck ; in fact, he was
a high-bred, fine-mannered, noble old horse,
every inch of him. He told me that in his
early youth he went to the Crimean War ; he

203

204 BLACK BEAUTY

belonged to an officer in the cavalry, and used
to lead the regiment; I will tell more of that
hereafter.

The next morning, when I was well groomed,
Polly and Dolly came into the yard to see me,
and make friends. Harry had been helping
his father since the early morning, and had
stated his opinion that I should turn out " a
regular brick." Polly brought me a slice of
apple, and Dolly a piece of bread, and made as
much of me as if I had been the " Black
Beauty " of olden time. It was a great treat
to be petted again, and talked to in a gentle
voice, and I let them see as well as I could that
I wished to be friendly. Polly thought I was
very handsome, and a great deal too good for
a cab, if it was not for the broken knees.

" Of course, there's no one to tell us whose
fault that was," said Jerry, " and as long as I
don't know, I shall give him the benefit of the
doubt; for a firmer, neater stepper I never
rode ; we'll call him ' Jack,' after the old one —
shall we, Polly?"

" Do," she said, " for I like to keep a good
name going."

Captain went out in the cab all the morning.
Harry came in after school to feed me and give
me water. In the afternoon I was put into the

BLACK BEAUTY 205

cab. Jerry took as much pains to see if the
collar and bridle fitted comfortably, as if he
had been John Manly over again. When the
crupper was let out a hole or two, it all fitted
well. There was no bearing rein — no curb —
nothing but a plain ring snaffle. What a
blessing that was !

After driving through the side street we came
to the large cab stand where Jerry had said
" Good night." On one side of this wide street
were high houses with wonderful shop fronts,
and on the other was an old church and church
yard surrounded by iron pallisades. Along
side these iron rails a number of cabs were
drawn up, waiting for passengers : bits of hay
were lying about on the ground ; some of the
men were standing together, some were sitting
on their boxes reading the newspaper ; and one
or two were feeding their horses with bits of
hay, and a drink of water. We pulled up in
the rank at the^ back of the last cab. Two or
three men came round and began to look at
me and pass their remarks.

' Very good for a funeral," said one.

" Too smart-looking," said another, shaking
his head in a very wise way ; " you'll find out
something wrong one of these fine mornings, or
my name isn't Jones."

206 BLACK BEAUTY

" Well," said Jerry pleasantly, " 1 suppose I
need not find it out till it finds me out ; eh ? and
if so, I'll keep up my spirits a little longer."

Then came up a broad-faced man, dressed in a
great grey coat with great grey capes, and great
white buttons, a grey hat and a blue comforter
loosely tied round his neck ; his hair was grey
too, but he was a jolly-looking fellow, and the
other men made way for him. He looked me
all over, as if he had been going to buy me ;
and then straightening himself up with a grunt,
he said, " He's the right sort for you, Jerry ; I
don't care what you gave for him, he'll be worth
it" Thus my character was established on the
stand.

This man's name was Grant, but he was
called " Grey Grant," or " Governor Grant."
He had been the longest on the stand of any of
the men, and he took it upon himself to settle
matters, and stop disputes. He was generally
a good-humoured, sensible man ; but if his
temper was a little out, as it was sometimes,
when he had drunk too much, nobody liked to
come too near his fist, for he could deal a very
heavy blow.

The first week of my life as a cab horse was
very trying ; I had never been used to London,
and the noise, the hurry, the crowds of horses,

BLACK BEAUTY 207

carts, and carriages, that I had to make my
way through, made me feel anxious and
harassed; but I soon found that I could per
fectly trust my driver, and then I made myself
easy, and got used to it.

Jerry was as good a driver as I had ever
known ; and what was better, he took as much
thought for his horses as he did for himself.
He soon found out that I was willing to work,
and do my best ; and he never laid the whip
on me, unless it was gently drawing the end
of it over my back, when I was to go on ; but
generally I knew this quite well by the way
in which he took up the reins; and I believe
his whip was more frequently stuck up by his
side than in his hand.

In a short time I and my master understood
each other, as well as horse and man can do.
In the stable, too, he did all that he could for
our comfort. The stalls were the old-fashioned
style, too much on the slope ; but he had two
movable bars fixed across the back of our
stalls, so that at night, and when we were rest
ing, he just took off our halters, and put up
the bars, and thus we could turn about and
stand whichever way we pleased, which is a
great comfort.

Jerry kept us very clean, and gave us as

208 BLACK BEAUTY

much change of food as he could, and always
plenty of it ; and not only that, but he always
gave us plenty of clean fresh water, which he
allowed to stand by us both night and day,
except of course when we came in warm.
Some people say that a horse ought not to
drink all he likes ; but I know if we are allowed
to drink when we want it, we drink only a little
at a time, and it does us a great deal more
good than swallowing down half a bucket full
at a time, because we have been left without
till we are thirsty and miserable. Some grooms
will go home to their beer and leave us for
hours with our dry hay and oats and nothing
to moisten them ; then of course we gulp down
too much at once, which helps to spoil our
breathing and sometimes chills our stomachs.
But the best thing that we had here was our
Sundays for rest; we worked so hard in the
week, that I do not think we could have kept
up to it, but for that day ; besides, we had then
time to enjoy each other's company. It was
on these days that I learned my companion's
history.

CHAPTER XXXIV

AN OLD WAR HORSE

/CAPTAIN had been broken in and trained
V><for an army horse ; his first owner was an
officer of cavalry going out to the Crimean
War. He said he quite enjoyed the training
with all the other horses, trotting together,
turning together, to the right hand or to the
left, halting at the word of command, or dash
ing forward at full speed at the sound of the
trumpet, or signal of the officer. He was,
when young, a dark, dappled iron grey, and
considered very handsome. His master, a
young, high-spirited gentleman, was very fond
of him, and treated him from the first with the
greatest care and kindness. He told me he
thought the life of an army horse was very
pleasant; but when he came to being sent
abroad, over the sea in a great ship, he almost
changed his mind.

" That part of it," said he, " was dreadful !
Of course we could not walk off the land into
the ship; so they were obliged to put strong
straps under our bodies, and then we were

209

2IO BLACK BEAUTY

lifted off our legs in spite of our struggles, and
were swung through the air over the water, to
the deck of the great vessel. There we were
placed in small close stalls, and never for a long
time saw the sky, or were able to stretch our
legs. The ship sometimes rolled about in high
winds, and we were knocked about, and felt
bad enough. However, at last it came to an
end, and we were hauled up, and swung over
again to the land; we were very glad, and
snorted, and neighed for joy, when we once
more felt firm ground under our feet.

" We soon found that the country we had
come to was very different to our own, and
that we had many hardships to endure besides
the fighting; but many of the men were so
fond of their horses, that they did everything
they could to make them comfortable, in spite
of snow, wet, and all things out of order."

"But what about the fighting?" said I;
" was not that worse than anything else ? "

" Well," said he, " I hardly know ; we always
liked to hear the trumpet sound, and to be
called out, and were impatient to start off,
though sometimes we had to stand for hours,
waiting for the word of command ; and when
the word was given, we used to spring forward
as gaily and eagerly as tf there, were no cannon

BLACK BEAUTY 211

balls, bayonets, or bullets. I believe so long
as we felt our rider firm in the saddle, and
his hand steady on the bridle, not one of us
gave way to fear, not even when the terrible
bombshells whirled through the air and burst
into a thousand pieces.

" I, with my noble master, went into many
actions together without a wound ; and though
I saw horses shot down with bullets, pierced
through with lances, and gashed with fearful
sabre-cuts; though we left them dead on the
field, or dying in the agony of their wounds,
I don't think I feared for myself. My master's
cheery voice, as he encouraged his men, made
me feel as if he and I could not be killed. I
had such perfect trust in him, that whilst he
was guiding me, I was ready to charge up to
the very cannon's mouth. I saw many brave
men cut down, many fall mortally wounded
from their saddles. I had heard the cries and
groans of the dying, I had cantered over ground
slippery with blood, and frequently had to turn
aside to avoid trampling on wounded man or
horse, but, until one dreadful day, I had never
felt terror ; that day I shall never forget."

Here old Captain paused for a while and
drew a long breath ; I waited, and he went on.

" It was one autumn morning, and as usual,

212 BLACK BEAUTY

an hour before daybreak our cavalry had turned
out, ready caparisoned for the day's work,
whether it might be fighting or waiting. The
men stood by their horses waiting, ready for
orders. As the light increased, there seemed
to be some excitement among the officers ; and
before the day was well begun, we heard the
firing of the enemy's guns.

" Then one of the officers rode up and gave
the word for the men to mount, and in a second,
every man was in his saddle, and every horse
stood expecting the touch of the rein, or the
pressure of his rider's heels, all animated, all
eager; but still we had been trained so well,
that, except by the champing of our bits, and
the restive tossing of our heads from time to
time, it could not be said that we stirred.

" My dear master and I were at the head
of the line, and as all sat motionless and watch
ful, he took a little stray lock of my mane which
had turned over on the wrong side, laid it over
on the right, and smoothed it down with his
hand ; then parting my neck, he said, ' We shall
have a day of it to-day, Bayard, my beauty ;
but we'll do our duty as we have done.' He
stroked my neck that morning, more, I think,
than he had ever done before ; quietly on and
on, as if he were thinking of something else.

BLACK BEAUTY 215

I loved to feel his hand on my neck, and arched
my crest proudly, and happily; but I stood
very still, for I knew all his moods, and when
he liked me to be quiet, and when gay.

" I cannot tell all that happened on that day,
but I will tell of the last charge that we made
together : it was across a valley right in front
of the enemy's cannon. By this time we were
well used to the roar of heavy guns, the rattle of
musket fire, and the flying of shot near us ; but
never had I been under such a fire as we rode
through on that day. From the right, from the
left, and from the front, shot and shell poured
in upon us. Many a brave man went down,
many a horse fell, flinging his rider to the
earth ; many a horse without a rider ran wildly
out of the ranks : then terrified at being alone
with no hand to guide him, came pressing in
amongst his old companions, to gallop with
them to the charge.

" Fearful as it was, no one stopped, no one
turned back. Every moment the ranks were
thinned, but as our comrades fell, we closed
in to keep them together ; and instead of being
shaken or staggered in our pace, our gallop
became faster and faster as we neared the
cannon, all clouded in white smoke, while the
red fire flashed through it.

2l6 BLACK BEAUTY

" My master, my dear master, was cheering
on his comrades with his right arm raised on
high, when one of the balls, whizzing close to
my head, struck him. I felt him stagger with
the shock, though he uttered no cry; I tried
to check my speed, but the sword dropped
from his right hand, the rein fell loose from
the left, and sinking backward from the saddle
he fell to the earth ; the other riders swept past
us, and by the force of their charge I was driven
from the spot where he fell.

" I wanted to keep my place by his side, and
not leave him under that rush of horses' feet,
but it was in vain ; and now, without a master
or a friend, I was alone on that great slaughter
ground; then fear took hold on me, and I
trembled as I had never trembled before ; and
I too, as I had seen other horses do, tried to join
in the ranks and gallop with them ; but I was
beaten off by the swords of the soldiers. Just
then, a soldier whose horse had been killed
under him, caught at my bridle and mounted
me ; and with this new master I was again going
forward : but our gallant company was cruelly
overpowered, and those who remained alive
after the fierce fight for the guns, came galloping
back over the same ground. Some of the horses
had been so badly wounded that they could

BLACK BEAUTY 217

scarcely move from the loss of blood; other
noble creatures were trying on three legs to
drag themselves along, and others were strug
gling to rise on their fore feet, when their hind
legs liad been shattered by shot. Their groans
were piteous to hear, and the beseeching look
in their eyes as those who escaped passed by,
and left them to their fate, I shall never forget.
After the battle the wounded men were brought
in, and the dead were buried."

" And what about the wounded horses ? " I
said ; " were they left to die ? "

" No, the army farriers went over the field
with their pistols, and shot all that were ruined ;
some that had only slight wounds were brought
back and attended to, but the greater part of
the noble willing creatures that went out that
morning, never came back! In our stables
there was only about one in four that returned.

" I never saw my dear master again. I be
lieve he fell dead from the saddle. I never
loved any other master so well. I went into
many other engagements, but was only once
wounded, and then not seriously; and when
the war was over, I came back again to Eng
land, as sound and strong as when I went
out."

I said, " I have heard people talk about war

2l8 BLACK BEAUTY

as if it was a very fine thing."

" Ah ! " said he, " I should think they never
saw it. No doubt it is very fine when there is
no enemy, when it is just exercise and parade,
and sham-fight. Yes, it is very fine then ; but
when thousands of good brave men and horses
are killed, or crippled for life, it has a very
different look."

" Do you know what they fought about ? "
said I.

" No," he said, " that is more than a horse can
understand, but the enemy must have been aw
fully wicked people, if it was right to go all that
way over the sea on purpose to kill them."

CHAPTER XXXV

JERRY BARKER

I NEVER knew a better man than my new
master ; he was kind and good, and as strong
for the right as John Manly; and so good-
tempered and merry, that very few people
could pick a quarrel with him. He was very
fond of making little songs, and singing them
to himself. One, he was very fond of, was
this—

" Come, father and mother,
And sister and brother,
Come, all of you, turn to
And help one another."

And so they did; Harry -was as clever at
stablework as a much older boy, and always
wanted to do what he could. Then Polly and
Dolly used to come in the morning to help with
"the cab — to brush and beat the cushions, and
rub the glass, while Jerry was giving us a
cleaning in the yard, and Harry was rubbing
the harness. There used to be a great deal of
laughing and fun between them, and it put
Captain and me in much better spirits than if
we had heard scolding and hard words. They
— • 219

22O BLACK BEAUTY

were always early in the morning, for Jerry
would say —

' ' If you in the morning

Throw minutes away,
You can't pick them up

In the course of the day.
You may hurry and skurry,
And flurry and worry,
You've lost them for ever.

For ever and aye."

He could not bear any careless loitering, and
waste of time ; and nothing was so near making
him angry, as to find people who were always
late, wanting a cab horse to be driven hard, to
make up for their idleness.

One day, two wild-looking young men came
out of a tavern close by the stand, and called
Jerry.

" Here, cabby ! look sharp, we are rather
late ; put on the steam, will you, and take us to
Victoria in time for the one o'clock train?
You shall have a shilling extra."

" I will take you at the regular pace, gentle
men; shillings don't pay for putting on the
steam like that."

Larry's cab was standing next to ours; he
flung open the door, and said, " I'm your man,
gentlemen ! take my cab, my horse will get you
there all right ; " and as he shut them in, with
a wink towards Jerry, said, " It's against his

BLACK BEAUTY 221

conscience to go beyond a jog-trot." Then
slashing his jaded horse, he set off as hard as
he could. Jerry patted me on the neck — " No,
Jack, a shilling would not pay for that sort of
thing, would it, old boy ? "

Although Jerry was determinately set against
hard driving, to please careless people, he
always went a good fair pace, and was not
against putting on the steam, as he said, if only
he knew why.

I well remember one morning, as we were
on the stand waiting for a fare, that a young
man, carrying a heavy portmanteau, trod on a
piece of orange peel which lay on the pave
ment, and fell down with great force.

Jerry was the first to run and lift him up.
He seemed much stunned, and as they led him
into a shop, he walked as if he were in great
pain. Jerry of course came back to the stand,
but in about ten minutes one of the shopmen
called him, so he drew up to the pavement.

" Can you take me to the South-Eastern
Railway ? " said the young man ; " this un
lucky fall has made me late, I fear ; but it is
of great importance that I should not lose the
twelve o'clock train. I should be most thank
ful if you could get me there in time, and will
gladly pay you an extra fare/'

222 BLACK BEAUTY

" I'll do my very best," said Jerry heartily,
" if you think you are well enough, sir," for he
looked dreadfully white and ill.

" I must go," he said, earnestly, " please to
open the door, and let us lose no time."

The next minute Jerry was on the box ; with
a cheery chirrup to me, and a twitch of the rein
that I well understood.

" Now then, Jack, my boy," said he, " spin
along, we'll show them how we can get over
the ground, if we only know why."

It is always difficult to drive fast in the city
in the middle of the day, when the streets are
full of traffic, but we did what could be done ;
and when a good driver and a good horse, who
understand each other, are of one mind, it is
wonderful what they can do. I had a very
good mouth — that is, I could be guided by the
slightest touch of the rein, and that is a great
thing in London, amongst carriages, omni-
busses, carts, vans, trucks, cabs, and great
waggons creeping along at a walking pace;
some going one way, some another, some going
slowly, others wanting to pass them, omni-
busses stopping short every few minutes to
take up a passenger, obliging the horse that is
coming behind to pull up too, or to pass, and
get before them : perhaps you try to pass, but

BLACK BEAUTY 233

just then, something else comes dashing in
through the narrow opening, and you have to
keep in behind the omnibus again ; presently
you think you see a chance, and manage to
get to the front, going so near the wheels on
each side, that half an inch nearer and they
would scrape. Well — you get along for a bit,
but soon find yourself in a long train of carts
and carriages all obliged to go at a walk ;
perhaps you come to a regular block-up, and
have to stand still for minutes together, till
something clears out into a side street, or the
policeman interferes : you have to be ready for
any chance — to dash forward if there be an
opening, and be quick as a rat dog to see if
there be room, and if there be time, lest you get
your own wheels locked, or smashed, or the
shaft of some other vehicle run into your chest
or shoulder. All this is what you have to be
ready for. If you want to get through London
fast in the middle of the day, it wants a deal of
practice.

Jerry and I were used to it, and no one could
beat us at getting through when we were set
upon it. I was quick and bold, and could
always trust my driver ; Jerry was quick, and
patient at the same time, and could trust his
horse, which was a great thing too. He very

224 BLACK BEAUTY

seldom used the whip; I knew by his voice,
and his click click, when he wanted to get on
fast, and by the rein where I was to go ; so there
was no need for whipping ; but I must go back
to my story.

The streets were very full that day, but we
got on pretty well as far as the bottom of
Cheapside, where there was a block for three
or four minutes. The young man put his head
out, and said anxiously, " I think I had better
get out and walk, I shall never get there if this
goes on."

" I'll do all that can be done, sir," said Jerry,
"I think we shall be in time; this block-up
cannot last much longer, and your luggage is
very heavy for you to carry, sir."

Just then the cart in front of us began to
move on, and then we had a good turn. In
and out — in and out we went, as fast as horse
flesh could do it, and for a wonder had a good
clear time on London Bridge, for there was a
whole train of cabs and carriages, all going our
way at a quick trot — perhaps wanting to catch
that very train ; at any rate, we whirled into
the station with many more, just as the great
clock pointed to eight minutes to twelve o'clock.

"Thank God! we are in time," said the
young man, " and thank you too, my friend,

BLACK BEAUTY 225

and your good horse ; you have saved me more
than money can ever pay for ; take this extra
half-crown."

" No, sir, no, thank you all the same ; so glad
we hit the time, sir, but don't stay now, sir, the
bell is ringing. Here, porter ! take this gentle
man's luggage — Dover line — twelve o'clock
train — that's it," and without waiting for
another word, Jerry wheeled me round to make
room for other cabs that were dashing up at
the last minute, and drew up on one side till
the crush was past.

" ' So glad ! ' he said, ' so glad ! ' poor young
fellow ! I wonder what it was that made him
so anxious ! '

Jerry often talked to himself quite loud
enough for me to hear, when we were not
moving.

On Jerry's return to the rank, there was a
good deal of laughing and chaffing at him, for
driving hard to the train for an extra fare, as
they said, all against his principles ; and they
wanted to know how much he had pocketed.

"A good deal more than I generally get,"
said he, nodding slily ; " what he gave me will
keep me in little comforts for several days."

" Gammon ! " said one.

" He's a humbug," said another, " preaching

38

226 BLACK BEAUTY

to us, and then doing the same himself."

" Look here, mates," said Jerry, " the gentle
man offered me half-a-crown extra, but I didn't
take it ; 'twas quite pay enough for me, to see
how glad he was to catch that train ; and if Jack
and I choose to have a quick run now and then,
to please ourselves, that's our business and not
yours."

" Well," said Larry, " you'll never be a rich
man."

"Most likely not," said Jerry, "but I don't
know that I shall be the less happy for that.
I have heard the commandments read a great
many times, and I never noticed that any of
them said, ' Thou shalt be rich ' ; and there are
a good many curious things said in the New
Testament about rich men, that I think would
make me feel rather queer if I was one of
them."

" If you ever do get rich," said Governor
Grant, looking over his shoulder across the top
of his cab, " you'll deserve it, Jerry, and you
won't find a curse come with your wealth. As
for you, Larry, you'll die poor, you spend too
much in whipcord."

" Well," said Larry, " what is a fellow to do
if his horse won't go without it ? "

" You never take the trouble to see if he will

BLACK BEAUTY 227

go without it ; your whip is always going as if
you had the St Virus' dance in your arm ; and
if it does not wear you out, it wears your horse
out ; you know you are always changing your
horses, and why ? because you never give them
any peace or encouragement."

"Well, I have not had good luck," said
Larry, " that's where it is."

" And you never will," said the Governor.
" Good Luck is rather particular who she rides
with, and mostly prefers those who have got
common sense and a good heart ; at least, that
is my experience."

Governor Grant turned round again to his
newspaper, and the other men went to their
cabs.

CHAPTER XXXVI

THE SUNDAY CAB

ONE morning, as Jerry had just put me
into the shafts and was fastening the traces,
a gentleman walked into the yard. ' Your ser
vant, sir," said Jerry.

" Good-morning, Mr. Barker," said the gentle
man. " I should be glad to make some
arrangements with you for taking Mrs. Briggs
regularly to church on Sunday mornings. We
go to the New Church now, and that is rather
further than she can walk."

"Thank you, sir," said Jerry, "but I have
only taken out a six days' licence,1 and there
fore I could not take a fare on a Sunday, it
would not be legal."

"Oh! " said the other, "I did not know
yours was a six days' cab; but of course it
would be very easy to alter your licence. I
would see that you did not lose by it ; the fact
is, Mrs. Briggs very much prefers you to drive
her."

1 A few years since the annual charge for a cab licence was very
much reduced, and the difference between the six and seven days'
cabs was abolished.

228

BLACK BEAUTY

" I should be glad to oblige the lady, sir, but
I had a seven days' licence once, and the work
was too hard for me, and too hard for my
horses. Year in and year out, not a day's
rest, and never a Sunday with my wife and
children, and never able to go to a place
of worship, which I had always been used to
do before I took to the driving box ; so for
the last five years I have only taken a six
days' licence, and I find it better all the way
round."

" Well, of course," replied Mr. Briggs, " it is
very proper that every person should have rest,
and be able to go to church on Sundays, but I
should have thought you would not have
minded such a short distance for the horse, and
only once a day ; you would have all the after
noon and evening for yourself, and we are very
good customers, you know."

" Yes, sir, that is true, and I am grateful for
all favours, I am sure, and anything that I
could do to oblige you, or the lady, I should
be proud and happy to do ; but I can't give up
my Sundays, sir, indeed I can't. I read that
God made man, and He made horses and all
the other beasts, and as soon as He had made
them, He made a day of rest, and bade that
should rest one day in seven ; and I think,

230 BLACK BEAUTY

sir, He must have known what was good for
them, and I am sure it is good for me ; I am
stronger and healthier altogether, now that I
have a day of rest; the horses are fresh too,
and do not wear up nearly so fast. The six-
day drivers all tell me the same, and I have
laid by more money in the Savings Bank
than ever I did before; and as for the wife
and children, sir — why, heart alive ! they would
not go back to the seven days for all they could
see."

" Oh, very well," said the gentleman. " Don't
trouble yourself, Mr. Barker, any further; I
will inquire somewhere else," and he walked
away.

" Well," says Jerry to me, " we can't help it,
Jack, old boy, we must have our Sundays."

"Polly! " he shouted, "Polly! come here."

She was there in a minute.

" What is it all about, Jerry ? "

" Why, my dear, Mr. Briggs wants me to take
Mrs. Briggs to church every Sunday morning.
I say, I have only a six days' licence. He says
'Get a seven days' licence, and I'll make it
worth your while ' ; and you know, Polly, they
are very good customers to us. Mrs. Briggs
often goes out shopping for hours, or making
calls, and then she pays down fair and honour-

BLACK BEAUTY 231

able like a lady; there's no beating down, or
making three hours into two and a half, as
some folks do ; and it is easy work for the
horses; not like tearing along to catch trains
for people that are always a quarter of an
hour too late; and if I don't oblige her
in this matter, it is very likely we shall
lose them altogether. What do you say, little
woman ? "

" I say, Jerry," says she, speaking very
slowly, " I say, if Mrs. Briggs would give you
a sovereign every Sunday morning, I would
not have you a seven days' cabman again. We
have known what it was to have no Sundays ;
and now we know what it is to call them our
own. Thank God, you earn enough to keep us,
though it is sometimes close work to pay for all
the oats and hay, the licence, and the rent
besides ; but Harry will soon be earning some
thing, and I would rather struggle on harder
than we do, than go back to those horrid times,
when you hardly had a minute to look at your
own children, and we never could go to a
place of worship together, or have a happy,
quiet day. God forbid that we should ever
turn back to those times: that's what I say,
Jerry."

" And that is just what I told Mr. Briggs, my

232 BLACK BEAUTY

dear," said Jerry, " and what I mean to stick
to ; so don't go and fret yourself, Polly (for she
had begun to cry) ; I would not go back to the
old times if I earned twice as much, so that is
settled, little woman. Now cheer up, and I'll
be off again to the stand."

Three weeks had passed away after this con
versation, and no order had come from Mrs.
Briggs ; so there was nothing but taking jobs
from the stand. Jerry took it to heart a good
deal, for of course the work was harder for
horse and man ; but Polly would always cheer
him up and say, " Never mind, father, never
mind —

Do your best,
And leave the rest,
'Twill all come right,
Some day or night."

It soon became known that Jerry had lost his
best customer, and for what reason ; most of the
men said he was a fool, but two or three took
his part.

" If working men don't stick to their
Sunday," said Truman, " they'll soon have none
left ; it is every man's right and every beast's
right. By God's law we have a day of rest, and
by the law of England we have a day of rest ;
and I say we ought to hold to the rights

BLACK BEAUTY 233

these laws give us, and keep them for our
children/'

" All very well for you religious chaps to talk
so," said Larry, " but I'll turn a shilling when
I can. I don't believe in religion, for I don't
see that your religious people are any better
than the rest."

" If they are not better," put in Jerry, " it is
because they are not religious. You might as
well say that our country's laws are not good
because some people break them. If a man
gives way to his temper, and speaks evil of his
neighbour, and does not pay his debts, he is not
religious ; I don't care how much he goes to
church. If some men are shams and hum
bugs, that does not make religion untrue. Real
religion is the best and the truest thing in the
world ; and the only thing that can make a
man really happy, or make the world any
better."

" If religion was good for anything," said
Jones, " it would prevent your religious people
from making us work on Sundays as you know
many of them do, and that's why I say religion
is nothing but a sham — why, if it was not for
the church and chapel goers it would be hardly
worth while our coming out on a Sunday ; but
they have their privileges, as they call them,

234 BLACK BEAUTY

and I go without I shall expect them to
answer for my soul, if I can't get a chance of
saving it"

Several of the men applauded this, till Jerry
said —

" That may sound well enough, but it won't
do ; every man must look after his own soul ;
you can't lay it down at another man's door
like a foundling, and expect him to take care of
it ; and don't you see, if you are always sitting
on your box waiting for a fare, they will say,
' If we don't take him, some one else will,' and
he does not look for any Sunday. Of course
they don't go to the bottom of it, or they
would see if they never came for a cab, it
would be no use your standing there ; but
people don't always like to go to the bottom
of things; it may not be convenient to
do it; but if you Sunday drivers would all
strike for a day of rest, the thing would be
done."

"And what would all the good people
do, if they could not get to their favourite
preachers ? " said Larry.

" Tis not for me to lay down plans for other
people," said Jerry, " but if they can't walk so
far, they can go to what is nearer; and if it
should rain they can put on their macintoshes

BLACK BEAUTY 235

as they do on a week-day. If a thing is right,
it can be done, and if it is wrong, it can be done
without ; and a good man will find a way ; and
that is as true for us cabmen as it is for the
church-goers."

CHAPTER XXXVII

THE GOLDEN RULE

TWO or three weeks after this, as we came
into the yard rather late in the evening,
Polly came running across the road with the
lantern (she always brought it to him if it was
not very wet).

" It has all come right, Jerry ; Mrs, Briggs
sent her servant this afternoon, to ask you to
take her out to-morrow at eleven o'clock. I
said, ' Yes, I thought so, but we supposed she
employed some one else now/

" ' Well/ says he, ' the real fact is, master was
put out because Mr. Barker refused to come on
Sundays, and he has been trying other cabs,
but there's something wrong with them all;
some drive too fast, and some too slow, and the
mistress says, there is not one of them so nice
and clean as yours, and nothing will suit her
but Mr. Barker's cab again/ "

Polly was almost out of breath, and Jerry
broke out into a merry laugh —

" All come right some day or night ; you were

right, my dear ; you generally are. Run in and

236

BLACK BEAUTY 237

get the supper, and I'll have Jack's harness
off and make him snug and happy in no
time."

After this, Mrs. Briggs wanted Jerry's cab
quite as often as before, never, however, on a
Sunday; but there came a day when we had
Sunday work, and this was how it happened.
We had all come home on the Saturday night
very tired, and very glad to think that the
next day would be all rest, but so it was not
to be.

On Sunday morning Jerry was cleaning me
in the yard, when Polly stepped up to him, look
ing very full of something.

" What is it ? " said Jerry.

" Well, my dear," she said, " poor Dinah
Brown has just had a letter brought to say that
her mother is dangerously ill, and that she must
go directly if she wishes to see her alive. The
place is more than ten miles away from here,
out in the country, and she says if she takes
the train she should still have four miles to
walk ; and so weak as she is, and the baby only
four weeks old, of course that would be impos
sible ; and she wants to know if you would take
her in your cab, and she promises to pay you
faithfully as she can get the money."

" Tut, tut, we'll see about that. It was not

238 BLACK BEAUTY

the money I was thinking about, but of losing
our Sunday ; the horses are tired, and I am tired
too — that's where it pinches."

" It pinches all round, for that matter," said
Polly, " for it's only half Sunday without you,
but you know we should do to other people as
we should like they should do to us ; and I know
very well what I should like if my mother was
dying; and Jerry, dear, I am sure it won't
break the Sabbath ; for if pulling a poor beast
or donkey out of a pit would not spoil it, I
am quite sure taking poor Dinah would not
do it"

" Why, Polly, you are as good as the minister,
and so, as I've had my Sunday morning sermon
early to-day, you may go and tell Dinah that
I'll be ready for her as the clock strikes ten ; but
stop — just step round to butcher Braydon's
with my compliments, and ask him if he would
lend me his light trap ; I know he never uses it
on the Sunday, and it would make a wonderful
difference to the horse."

Away she went, and soon returned, saying
that he could have the trap and welcome.

" All right," said he, " now put me up a bit of
bread and cheese, and I'll be back in the after
noon as soon as I can."

"And I'll have the meat pie ready for an

BLACK BEAUTY 239

early tea instead of for dinner," said Polly;
and away she went, whilst he made his pre
parations to the tune of " Polly, the woman
and no mistake," of which tune he was very
fond.

I was selected for the journey, and at ten
o'clock we started, in a light, high-wheeled gig,
which ran so easily, that after the four-wheeled
cab, it seemed like nothing.

It was a fine May day, and as soon as we
were out of the town, the sweet air, the smell of
the fresh grass, and the soft country roads were
as pleasant as they used to be in the old times,
and I soon began to feel quite fresh.

Dinah's family lived in a small farmhouse,
up a green lane, close by a meadow with some
fine shady trees : there were two cows feeding
in it A young man asked Jerry to bring his
trap into the meadow, and he would tie me up
in the cowshed; he wished he had a better
stable to offer.

" If your cows would not be offended," said
Jerry, " there is nothing my horse would like so
well as to have an hour or two in your beautiful
meadow ; he's quiet, and it would be a rare treat
for him."

" Do, and welcome," said the young man ;
" the best we have is at your service for your

240 BLACK BEAUTY

kindness to my sister ; we shall be having some
dinner in an hour, and I hope you'll come in,
though with mother so ill we are all out of sorts
in the house."

Jerry thanked him kindly, but said as he had
some dinner with him, there was nothing he
should like so well as walking about in the
meadow.

When my harness was taken off, I did not
know what I should do first — whether to eat
the grass, or roll over on my back, or lie down
and rest, or have a gallop across the meadow
out of sheer spirits at being free ; and I did all
by turns. Jerry seemed to be quite as happy
as I was ; he sat down by a bank under a shady
tree, and listened to the birds, then he sang
himself, and read out of the little brown book
he is so fond of, then wandered round the
meadow and down by a little brook, where he
picked the flowers and the hawthorn, and tied
them up with long sprays of ivy ; then he gave
me a good feed of the oats which he had brought
with him ; but the time seemed all too short —
I had not been in a field since I left poor Ginger
at Earlshall.

We came home gently, and Jerry's first
words were as we came into the yard, " Well,
Polly, I have not lost my Sunday after all, for

BLACK BEAUTY 241

the birds were singing hymns in every bush,
and I joined in the service ; and as for Jack,
he was like a young colt."

When he handed Dolly the flowers, she
jumped about for joy.

CHAPTER XXXVIII

DOLLY AND A REAL GENTLEMAN

THE winter came in early, with a great deal
of cold and wet. There was snow, or sleet,
or rain, almost every day for weeks, changing
only for keen driving winds, or sharp frosts.
The horses all felt it very much. When it is a
dry cold, a couple of good thick rugs will keep
the warmth in us ; but when it is soaking rain,
they soon get wet through and are no good.
Some of the drivers had a waterproof cover to
throw over, which was a fine thing ; but some of
the men were so poor that they could not pro
tect either themselves or their horses, and many
of them suffered very much that winter. When
we horses had worked half the day we went to
our dry stables, and could rest; whilst they
had to sit on their boxes, sometimes staying out
as late as one or two o'clock in the morning, if
they had a party to wait for.

When the streets were slippery with frost or
snow, that was the worst of all for us horses ;
one mile of such travelling, with a weight to
draw, and no firm footing, would take more out

242

BLACK BEAUTY 243

of us than four on a good road ; every nerve
and muscle of our bodies is on the strain to
keep our balance ; and added to this, the fear
of falling is more exhausting than anything else.
If the roads are very bad indeed, our shoes are
roughed, but that makes us feel nervous at
first

When the weather was very bad, many of
the men would go and sit in the tavern close
by, and get some one to watch for them ; but
they often lost a fare in that way, ajid could
not, as Jerry said, be there without spending
money. He never went to the " Rising Sun " ;
there was a coffee-shop near, where he now and
then went — or he bought of an old man who
came to our rank with tins of hot coffee and
pies. It was his opinion that spirits and beer
made a man colder afterwards, and that dry
clothes, good food, cheerfulness, and a com
fortable wife at home, were the best things to
keep a cabman warm. Polly always supplied
him with something to eat when he could not
get home and sometimes he would see little
Dolly peeping from the corner of the street, to
make sure if " father " was on the stand. If
she saw him, she would run off at full speed
and soon come back with something in a tin
or basket — some hot soup or pudding that Polly

244 BLACK BEAUTY

had ready. It was wonderful how such a little
thing could get safely across the street, often
thronged with horses and carriages; but she
was a brave little maid, and felt it quite an
honour to bring " father's first course/' as he
used to call it. She was a general favourite on
the stand, and there was not a man who would
not have seen her safely across the street, if
Jerry had not been able to do it.

One cold windy day, Dolly had brought
Jerry a basin of something hot, and was stand
ing by him whilst he ate it. He had scarcely
begun, when a gentleman, walking towards us
very fast, held up his umbrella. Jerry touched
his hat in return, gave the basin to Dolly, and
was taking off my cloth, when the gentleman,
hastening up, cried out, " No, no, finish your
soup, my friend ; I have not much time to spare,
but I can wait till you have done, and set your
little girl safe on the pavement." So saying,
he seated himself in the cab. Jerry thanked
him kindly, and came back to Dolly.

" There, Dolly, that's a gentleman ; that's a
real gentleman, Dolly; he has got time and
thought for the comfort of a poor cabman and
a little girl."

Jerry finished his soup, set the child across,
and then took his orders to drive to " Clapham

BLACK BEAUTY 245

Rise." Several times after that, the same gen
tleman took our cab. I think he was very fond
of dogs and horses, for whenever we took him
to his own door, two or three dogs would come
bounding out to meet him. Sometimes he came
round and patted me, saying in his quiet,
pleasant way, "This horse has got a good
master, and he deserves it." It was a very
rare thing for any one to notice the horse that
had been working for him. I have known
ladies do it now and then, and this gentleman,
and one or two others have given me a pat and
a kind word ; but ninety-nine out of a hundred
would as soon think of patting the steam engine
that drew the train.

This gentleman was not young, and there was
a forward stoop in his shoulders as if he was
always going at something. His lips were thin,
and close shut, though they had a very pleasant
smile ; his eye was keen, and there was some
thing in his jaw and the motion of his head
that made one think he was very determined
in anything he set about. His voice was
pleasant and kind ; any horse would trust that
voice, though it was just as decided as every
thing else about him.

One day, he and another gentleman took our
cab ; they stopped at a shop in R Street,

246 BLACK BEAUTY

and whilst his friend went in, he stood at the
door. A little ahead of us on the other side of
the street, a cart with two very fine horses was
standing before some wine vaults; the carter
was not with them, and I cannot tell how long
they had been standing, but they seemed to
think they had waited long enough, and began
to move off. Before they had gone many paces,
the carter came running out and caught them.
He seemed furious at their having moved, and
with whip and rein punished them brutally,
even beating them about the head. Our gen
tleman saw it all and stepping quickly across
the street, said in a decided voice —

" If you don't stop that directly, I'll have you
summoned for leaving your horses, and for
brutal conduct"

The man, who had clearly been drinking,
poured forth some abusive language, but he
left off knocking the horses about, and taking
the reins, got into his cart ; meantime our friend
had quietly taken a note-book from his pocket,
and looking at the name and address painted
on the cart, he wrote something down.

" What do you want with that ? " growled
the carter, as he cracked his whip and was mov
ing on. A nod, and a grim smile, was the only
answer he got.

BLACK BEAUTY 247

On returning to the cab, our friend was
joined by his companion, who said laughingly,
" I should have thought, Wright, you had
enough business of your own to look after,
without troubling yourself about other people's
horses and servants."

Our friend stood still for a moment, and
throwing his head a little back, " Do you know
why this world is as bad as it is ? "

" No," said the other.

"Then I'll tell you. It is because people
think only about their own business, and won't
trouble themselves to stand up for the op
pressed, nor bring the wrong-doer to light. I
never see a wicked thing like this without doing
what I can, and many a master has thanked
me for letting him know how his horses have
been used."

" I wish there were more gentlemen like you,
sir — " said Jerry, " for they are wanted badly
enough in this city."

After this we continued our journey, and as
they got out of the cab, our friend was saying,
" My doctrine is this, that if we see cruelty or
wrong that we have the power to stop, and do
nothing, we make ourselves sharers in the
guilt"

CHAPTER XXXIX

SEEDY SAM

I SHOULD say, that for a cab-horse I was
very well off indeed ; my driver was my
owner, and it was his interest to treat me well,
and not overwork me, even had he not been so
good a man as he was ; but there were a great
many horses which belonged to the large cab-
owners, who let them out to their drivers for so
much money a day. As the horses did not
belong to these men, the only thing they thought
of was how to get their money out of them:
first, to pay the master, and then to provide for
their own living, and a dreadful time some of
these horses had of it. Of course I understood
but little, but it was often talked over on the
stand, and the Governor, who was a kind-
hearted man, and fond of horses, would some
times speak up if one came in very much jaded
or ill-used.

One day, a shabby, miserable-looking driver,
who went by the name of "Seedy Sam,"
brought in his horse looking dreadfully beat,
and the Governor said —

BLACK BEAUTY 24Q

" You and your horse look more fit for the
police station than for this rank."

The man flung his tattered rug over the
horse, turned full round upon the Governor,
and said, in a voice that sounded almost des
perate —

" If the police have any business with the
matter, it ought to be with the masters who
charge us so much, or with the fares that are
fixed so low. If a man has to pay eighteen
shillings a day for the use of a cab and two
horses, as many of us have to do in the season,
and must make that up before we earn a penny
for ourselves — I say, 'tis more than hard work ;
nine shillings a day to get out of each horse,
before you begin to get your own living ; you
know that's true, and if the horses don't work
we must starve, and I and my children have
known what that is before now. I've six of
'em, and only one earns anything ; I am on the
stand fourteen or sixteen hours a day, and I
haven't had a Sunday these ten or twelve
weeks ; you know, Skinner never gives a day if
he can help it, and if I don't work hard, tell me
who does ! I want a warm coat and a macin
tosh, but with so many to feed, how can a man
get it ? I had to pledge my clock a week ago
to pay Skinner, and I shall never see it again."

250 BLACK BEAUTY

Some of the other drivers stood round nod
ding their heads, and saying he was right. The
man went on —

" You that have your own horses and cabs,
or drive for good masters, have a chance of
getting on, and a chance of doing right; I
haven't. We can't charge more than sixpence
a mile after the first, within the four-mile
radius. This very morning I had to go a clear
six miles and only took three shillings. I could
not get a return fare, and had to come all the
way back; there's twelve miles for the horse
and three shillings for me. After that I had a
three-mile fare, and there were bags and boxes
enough to have brought in a good many two-
pences if they had been put outside ; but you
know how people do ; all that could be piled
up inside on the front seat, were put in, and
three heavy boxes went on the top, that was
sixpence, and the fare one and sixpence ; then
I got a return for a shilling; now that makes
eighteen miles for the horse and six shillings
for me ; there's three shillings still for that horse
to earn, and nine shillings for the afternoon
horse before I touch a penny. Of course it is
not always as bad as that, but you know it often
is, and I say 'tis a mockery to tell a man that
he must not overwork his horse, for when a

BLACK BEAUTY 251

beast is downright tired, there's nothing but the
whip that will keep his legs agoing — you can't
help yourself — you must put your wife and
children before the horse, the masters must
look to that, we can't I don't ill-use my horse
for the sake of it ; none of you can say I do.
There's wrong lays somewhere — never a day's
rest — never a quiet hour with the wife and
children. I often feel like an old man, though
I'm only forty-five. You know how quick some
of the gentry are to suspect us of cheating and
over-charging ; why, they stand with their
purses in their hands, counting it over to a
penny, and looking at us as if we were pick
pockets. I wish some of 'em had got to sit on
my box sixteen hours a day, and get a living
out of it, and eighteen shillings beside, and that
in all weathers ; they would not be so uncom
mon particular never to give us a sixpence over,
or to cram all the luggage inside. Of course,
some of 'em tip us pretty handsome now and
then, or else we could not live, but you can't
depend upon that"

The men who stood round, much approved
this speech, and one of them said, " It is des
perate hard, and if a man sometimes does what
is wrong, it is no wonder ; and if he gets a dram
too much, who's to blow him up ? "

252 BLACK BEAUTY

Jerry had taken no part in this conversation,
but I never saw his face look so sad before.
The Governor had stood with both his hands in
his pockets ; now he took his handkerchief out
of his hat, and wiped his forehead.

' You've beaten me, Sam," he said, " for it's
all true, and I won't cast it up to you any more
about the police ; it was the look in that horse's
eye that came over me. It is hard lines for
man, and it is hard lines for beast, and who's to
mend it I don't know; but any way you
might tell the poor beast that you were sorry
to take it out of him in that way. Some
times a kind word is all we can give 'em,
poor brutes, and 'tis wonderful what they do
understand."

A few mornings after this talk, a new man
came on the stand with Sam's cab.

" Halloo ! " said one, " what's up with Seedy
Sam?"

"He's ill in bed," said the man; "he was
taken last night in the yard, and could scarcely
crawl home. His wife sent a boy this morning
to say his father was in a high fever and could
not get out ; so I'm here instead."

The next morning the same man came again.

" How is Sam ? " inquired the Governor.

" He's gone," said the man.

BLACK BEAUTY 253

" What, gone ? You don't mean to say he's
dead?"

" Just snuffed out," said the other ; " he died
at four o'clock this morning ; all yesterday he
was raving — raving about Skinner, and having
no Sundays. ' I never had a Sunday's rest,'
these were his last words."

No one spoke for awhile, and then the
Governor said, " I tell you what, mates, this is
a warning for us."

CHAPTER XL

POOR GINGER

ONE day, whilst our cab and many others
were waiting outside one of the Parks,
where a band was playing, a shabby old cab
drove up beside ours. The horse was an old
worn-out chestnut, with an ill-kept coat, and
bones that showed plainly through it. The
knees knuckled over, and the forelegs were very
unsteady. I had been eating some hay, and
the wind rolled a little lock of it that way, and
the poor creature put out her long thin neck
and picked it up, and then turned round and
looked about for more. There was a hopeless
look in the dull eye that I could not help notic
ing, and then, as I was thinking where I had
seen that horse before, she looked full at me
and said, " Black Beauty, is that you ? "

It was Ginger ! but how changed ! The beau
tifully arched and glossy neck was now straight
and lank, and fallen in, the clean straight legs
and delicate fetlocks were swelled ; the joints
were grown out of shape with hard work ; the
face, that was once so full of spirit and life, was

254

BLACK BEAUTY 255

now full of suffering, and I could tell by the
heaving of her sides, and her frequent cough,
how bad her breath was.

Our drivers were standing together a little
way off, so I sidled up to her a step or two, that
we might have a little quiet talk. It was a sad
tale that she had to tell.

After a twelvemonth's run off at Earlshall,
she was considered to be fit for work again, and
was sold to a gentleman. For a little while she
got on very well, but after a longer gallop than
usual, the old strain returned, and after being
rested and doctored she was again sold. In this
way she changed hands several times, but
always getting lower down.

" And so at last," said she, " I was bought by
a man who keeps a number of cabs and horses,
and lets them out. You look well off, and I am
glad of it, but I could not tell you what my life
has been. When they found out my weakness,
they said I was not worth what they gave for
me, and that I must go into one of the low
cabs, and just be used up ; that is what they
are doing, whipping and working with never
one thought of what I suffer ; they paid for me,
and must get it out of me, they say. The man
who hires me now, pays a deal of money to the
owner every day, and so he has to get it out of

256 BLACK BEAUTY

me too; and so it's all the week round and
round, with never a Sunday rest."

I said, " You used to stand up for yourself
if you were ill-used."

" Ah ! " she said, " I did once, but it's no use ;
men are strongest, and if they are cruel and
have no feeling, there is nothing that we can do,
but just bear it, bear it on and on to the end.
I wish the end was come, I wish I was dead.
I have seen dead horses, and I am sure they
do not suffer pain. I wish I may drop down
dead at my work, and not be sent off to the
knacker's."

I was very much troubled, and I put my nose
up to hers, but I could say nothing to comfort
her. I think she was pleased to see me, for
she said, ' You are the only friend I ever
had."

Just then her driver came up, and with a
tug at her mouth, backed her out of the
line and drove off, leaving me very sad
indeed.

A short time after this, a cart with a dead
horse in it passed our cab-stand. The head
hung out of the cart tail, the lifeless tongue was
slowly dropping with blood ; and the sunken
eyes ! but I can't speak of them, the sight was
too dreadful. It was a chestnut horse with a

BLACK BEAUTY 257

long thin neck. I saw a white streak down the
forehead. I believe it was Ginger ; I hoped it
was, for then her troubles would be over. Oh !
if men were more merciful, they would shoot us
before we came to such misery.

39-

CHAPTER XLI

THE BUTCHER

I SAW a great deal of trouble amongst the
horses in London, and much of it that might
have been prevented by a little common sense.
We horses do not mind hard work if we are
treated reasonably; and I am sure there are
many driven by quite poor men who have a
happier life than I had, when I used to go in

the Countess of W 's carriage, with my

silver-mounted harness and high feeding.

It often went to my heart to see how the little
ponies were used, straining along with heavy
loads, or staggering under heavy blows from
some low cruel boy. Once I saw a little grey
pony with a thick mane and a pretty head, and
so much like Merrylegs, that if I had not been
in harness, I should have neighed to him. He
was doing his best to pull a heavy cart, while a
strong rough boy was cutting him under the
belly with his whip, and chucking cruelly at his
little mouth. Could it be Merrylegs? It was
just like him; but then Mr. Blomefield was
never to sell him, and I think he would not do

238

BLACK BEAUTY 25Q

it; but this might have been quite as good a
little fellow, and had as happy a place when he
was young.

I often noticed the great speed at which
butchers' horses were made to go, though I did
not know why it was so, till one day when we
had to wait some time in " St. John's Wood."
There was a butcher's shop next door, and as
we were standing, a butcher's cart came dash
ing up at a great pace. The horse was hot, and
much exhausted ; he hung his head down, while
his heaving sides and trembling legs showed
how hard he had been driven. The lad jumped
out of the cart and was getting the basket,
when the master came out of the shop much
displeased. After looking at the horse, he
turned angrily to the lad : —

" How many times shall I tell you not to
drive in this way ? You ruined the last horse
and broke his wind, and you are going to ruin
this in the same way. If you were not my
own son, I would dismiss you on the spot; it
is a disgrace to have a horse brought to the shop
in a condition like that; you are liable to be
taken up by the police for such driving, and if
you are, you need not look to me for bail, for I
have spoken to you till I am tired ; you must
look out for yourself."

260 BLACK BEAUTY

During this speech, the boy had stood by,
sullen and dogged, but when his father ceased,
he broke out angrily. It wasn't his fault, and
he wouldn't take the blame, he was only going
by orders all the time.

" You always say, ' Now be quick ; now look
sharp ! ' and when I go to the houses, one wants
a leg of mutton for an early dinner, and I must
be back with it in a quarter of an hour.
Another cook had forgotten to order the beef ;
I must go and fetch it and be back in no time,
or the mistress will scold ; and the housekeeper
says they have company coming unexpectedly
and must have some chops sent up directly;
and the lady at No. 4, in the Crescent, never
orders her dinner till the meat comes in for
lunch, and it's nothing but hurry, hurry, all
the time. If the gentry would think of what
they want, and order their meat the day before,
there need not be this blow up ! '

" I wish to goodness they would," said the
butcher ; " 'twould save me a wonderful deal
of harass, and I could suit my customers much
better if I knew beforehand — but there — what's
the use of talking — who ever thinks of a
butcher's convenience, or a butcher's horse?
Now then, take him in, and look to him well :
mind, he does not go out again to-day, and if

BLACK BEAUTY 26l

anything else is wanted, you must carry it your
self in the basket." With that he went in, and
the horse was led away.

But all boys are not cruel. I have seen some
as fond of their pony or donkey as if it had
been a favourite dog, and the little creatures
have worked away as cheerfully and willingly
for their young drivers as I work for Jerry.
It may be hard work sometimes, but a friend's
hand and voice make it easy.

There was a young coster-boy who came up
our street with greens and potatoes; he had
an old pony, not very handsome, but the cheer-
fullest and pluckiest little thing I ever saw, and
to see how fond those two were of each other,
was a treat. The pony followed his master
like a dog, and when he got into his cart, would
trot off without a whip or a word, and rattle
down the street as merrily as if he had come
out of the Queen's stables. Jerry liked the boy,
and called him " Prince Charlie," for he said
he would make a king of drivers some day.

There was an old man, too, who used to come
up our street with a little coal cart; he wore
a coal-heaver's hat, and looked rough and
black. He and his old horse used to plod
together along the street, like two good partners
who understood each other; the horse would

262 BLACK BEAUTY

stop of his own accord, at the doors where they
took coal of him ; he used to keep one ear bent
toward his master. The old man's cry could
be heard up the street long before he came
near. I never knew what he said, but the
children called him " Old Ba-a-ar Hoo," for it
sounded like that. Polly took her coal of him,
and was very friendly, and Jerry said it was
a comfort to think how happy an old horse
might be in a poor place.

CHAPTER XLII

THE ELECTION

AS we came into the yard one afternoon,
Polly came out, "Jerry! I've had Mr.

B here asking about your vote, and he

wants to hire your cab for the election ; he will
call for an answer."

"Well, Polly, you may say that my cab
will be otherwise engaged; I should not like
to have it pasted over with their great bills,
and as to making Jack and Captain race about
to the public-houses to bring up half-drunken
voters, why I think 'twould be an insult to the
horses. No, I shan't do it."

"I suppose you'll vote for the gentleman?
He said he was of your politics."

"So he is in some things, but I shall not
vote for him, Polly ; you know what his trade
is?"

"Yes."

" Well, a man who gets rich by that trade,
may be all very well in some ways, but he is
blind as to what working men want: I could
not in my conscience send him up to make

263

264 BLACK BEAUTY

the laws. I dare say they'll be angry, but
every man must do what he thinks to be the
best for his country."

On the morning before the election, Jerry
was putting me into the shafts, when Dolly
came into the yard sobbing and crying, with
her little blue frock and white pinafore spat
tered all over with mud.

" Why, Dolly, what is the matter ? "

" Those naughty boys," she sobbed, " have
thrown the dirt all over me, and called me a
little ragga — ragga "

"They called her a little blue raggamuffin,
father," said Harry, who ran in looking very
angry ; " but I have given it to them, they
won't insult my sister again. I have given
them a thrashing they will remember ; a set of
cowardly rascally, orange blackguards ! '

Jerry kissed the child and said, " Run in to
mother, my pet, and tell her I think you had
better stay at home to-day and help her."

Then turning gravely to Harry —

" My boy, I hope you will always defend
your sister, and give anybody who insults her
a good thrashing — that is as it should be ; but
mind, I won't have any election blackguarding
on my premises. There are as many blue
blackguards as there are orange, and as many

BLACK BEAUTY 265

white as there are purple, or any other colour,
and I won't have any of my family mixed up
with it. Even women and children are ready
to quarrel for the sake of a colour, and not
one in ten of them knows what it is about"

" Why, father, I thought blue was for
Liberty."

" My boy, Liberty does not come from
colours, they only show party, and all the
liberty you can get out of them is, liberty to
get drunk at other people's expense, liberty
to ride to the poll in a dirty old cab, liberty to
abuse any one that does not wear your colour,
and to shout yourself hoarse at what you only
half understand — that's your liberty! '

" Oh, father, you are laughing."

" No, Harry, I am serious, and I am ashamed
to see how men go on that ought to know better.
An election is a very serious thing ; at least it
ought to be, and every man ought to vote
according to his conscience, and let his neigh
bour do the same."

CHAPTER XLIII

A FRIEND IN NEED

AT last came the election day ; there was no
lack of work for Jerry and me. First came
a stout puffy gentleman with a carpet bag ; he
wanted to go to the Bishopsgate Station ; then
we were called by a party who wished to be
taken to the Regent's Park ; and next we were
wanted in a side street where a timid anxious
old lady was waiting to be taken to the bank :
there we had to stop to take her back again,
and just as we had set her down, a red-faced
gentleman with a handful of papers, came run
ning up out of breath, and before Jerry could
get down, he had opened the door, popped
himself in, and called out " Bow Street Police
Station, quick ! " so off we went with him, and
when after another turn or two we came back,
there was no other cab on the stand. Jerry
put on my nose-bag, for as he said, " We must
eat when we can on such days as these; so
munch away, Jack, and make the best of your
time, old boy."

I found I had a good feed of crushed oats
266

BLACK BEAUTY 267

wetted up with a little bran ; this would be a
treat any day, but was specially refreshing then.
Jerry was so thoughtful and kind — what horse
would not do his best for such a master ? Then
he took out one of Polly's meat pies, and stand
ing near me, he began to eat it. The streets
were very full, and the cabs with the Candi
dates' colours on them were dashing about
through the crowd as if life and limb were of
no consequence ; we saw two people knocked
down that day, and one was a woman. The
horses were having a bad time of it, poor
things! but the voters inside thought nothing
of that, many of them were half drunk, hurrah
ing out of the cab windows if their own party
came by. It was the first election I had seen,
and I don't want to be in another, though I
have heard things are better now.

Jerry and I had not eaten many mouthfuls,
before a poor young woman, carrying a heavy
child, came along the street. She was looking
this way, and that way, and seemed quite
bewildered. Presently she made her way up
to Jerry, and asked if he could tell her the way
to St. Thomas's Hospital, and how far it was
to get there. She had come from the country
that morning, she said, in a market cart; she
did not know about the election, and was quite

268 BLACK BEAUTY

a stranger in London. She had got an order
for the Hospital for her little boy. The child
was crying with a feeble pining cry.

" Poor little fellow ! " she said, " he suffers a
'deal of pain; he is four years old, and can't
walk any more than a baby; but the doctor
said if I could get him into the Hospital, he
might get well ; pray, sir, how far is it ? and
which way is it ? "

"Why, missis," said Jerry, "you can't get
there walking through crowds like this ! why,
it is three miles away, and that child is heavy."

"Yes, bless him, he is, but I am strong,
thank God, and if I knew the way, I think I
should get on somehow: please tell me the
way."

" You can't do it," said Jerry, " you might
be knocked down and the child be run over.
Now, look here, just get into this cab, and I'll
drive you safe to the Hospital : don't you see
the rain is coming on ? "

" No, sir, no, I can't do that, thank you, I
have only just money enough to get back with :
please tell me the way."

" Look you here, missis," said Jerry, " I've
got a wife and dear children at home, and I
know a father's feelings : now get you into that
cab, and I'll take you there for nothing; I'd

BLACK BEAUTY 269

be ashamed of myself to let a woman and a
sick child run a risk like that."

"Heaven bless you! " said the woman, and
burst into tears.

" There, there, cheer up, my dear, I'll soon
take you there ; come, let me put you inside."

As Jerry went to open the door, two men,
with colours in their hats and button-holes, ran
up, calling out, " Cab ! '

" Engaged," cried Jerry ; but one of the men,
pushing past the woman, sprang into the cab,
followed by the other. Jerry looked as stern
as a policeman : " This cab is already engaged,
gentlemen, by that lady."

" Lady ! " said one of them ; " oh ! she can
wait: our business is very important, beside
we were in first, it is our right, and we shall
stay in."

A droll smile came over Jerry's face as he
shut the door upon them. " All right, gentle
men, pray stay in as long as it suits you: I
can wait whilst you rest yourselves ; " and
turning his back upon them, he walked up to
the young woman, who was standing near me.
"They'll soon be gone," he said, laughing,
" don't trouble yourself, my dear."

And they soon were gone, for when they
understood Jerry's dodge, they got out, calling

27O BLACK BEAUTY

him all sorts of bad names, and blustering about
his number, and getting a summons. After
this little stoppage we were soon on our way
to the Hospital, going as much as possible
through bye streets. Jerry rung the great bell,
and helped the young woman out.

" Thank you a thousand times/' she said ; " I
could never have got here alone/'

'You're kindly welcome, and I hope the
dear child will soon be better/'

He watched her go in at the door, and gently
he said to himself, " Inasmuch as ye have done
it to one of the least of these." Then he patted
my neck, which was always his way when any
thing pleased him.

The rain was now coming down fast, and just
as we were leaving the Hospital the door
opened again, and the porter called out,
" Cab ! " iWe stopped, and a lady came down
the steps. Jerry seemed to know her at once ;
she put back her veil and said, "Barker!
Jeremiah Barker ! is it you ? I am very glad
to find you here ; you are just the friend I want,
for it is very difficult to get a cab in this part
of London to-day."

" I shall be proud to serve you, ma'am, I am
right glad I happened to be here ; where may
I take you to, ma'am ? "

WE AT LAST REACHED HOME, AND I, AT LEAST, WAS TlRED

BLACK BEAUTY 273

" To the Paddington Station, and then if we
are in good time, as I think we shall be, you
shall tell me all about Mary and the children."

We got to the station in good time, and being
under shelter, the lady stood a good while
talking to Jerry. I found she had been Polly's
mistress, and after many inquiries about her,
she said —

" How do you find the cab- work suit you in
winter? I know Mary was rather anxious
about you last year."

' Yes, ma'am, she was ; I had a bad cough
that followed me up quite into the warm
weather, and when I am kept out late, she does
worry herself a good deal. You see, ma'am, it
is all hours and all weathers, and that does try
a man's constitution ; but I am getting on pretty
well, and I should feel quite lost if I had not
horses to look after. I was brought up to it,
and I am afraid I should not do so well at any
thing else."

"Well, Barker," she said, "it would be a
great pity that you should seriously risk your
health in this work, not only for your own, but
for Mary and the children's sake: there are
many places where good drivers or good grooms
are wanted ; and if ever you think you ought to
give up this cab-work, let me know." Then

274 BLACK BEAUTY

sending some kind messages to Mary, she put
something into his hand, saying, " There is five
shillings each for the two children ; Mary will
know how to spend it"

Jerry thanked her and seemed much pleased,
and turning out of the station, we at last
reached home, and I, at least, was tired.

CHAPTER XLIV

OLD CAPTAIN AND HIS SUCCESSOR

/CAPTAIN and I were great friends. He was
^Jla. noble old fellow, and he was very good
company. I never thought that he would have
to leave his home and go down the hill, but his
turn came ; and this was how it happened. I
was not there, but I heard all about it.

He and Jerry had taken a party to the great
railway station over London Bridge, and were
coming back, somewhere between the Bridge
and the Monument, when Jerry saw a brewer's
empty dray coming along, drawn by two power
ful horses. The drayman was lashing his
horses with his heavy whip ; the dray was light,
and they started off at a furious rate ; the man
had no control over them, and the street was full
of traffic; one young girl was knocked down
and run over, and the next moment they dashed
up against our cab ; both the wheels were torn
off, and the cab was thrown over. Captain
was dragged down, the shafts splintered, and
one of them ran into his side. Jerry too was
thrown, but was only bruised; nobody could

275

276 BLACK BEAUTY

tell how he escaped, he always said 'twas a
miracle. When poor Captain was got up, he was
found to be very much cut and knocked about.
Jerry led him home gently, and a sad sight it
was to see the blood soaking into his white coat,
and dropping from his side and shoulder. The
drayman was proved to be very drunk, and was
fined, and the brewer had to pay damages to
our master ; but there was no one to pay dam
ages to poor Captain.

The farrier and Jerry did the best they could
to ease his pain, and make him comfortable.
The fly had to be mended, and for several days
I did not go out, and Jerry earned nothing.
The first time we went to the stand after the
accident, the Governor came up to hear how
Captain was.

" He'll never get over it," said Jerry, " at least
not for my work, so the farrier said this morn
ing. He says he may do for carting, and that
sort of work. It has put me out very much.
Carting indeed ! I've seen what horses come to
at that work round London. I only wish all
the drunkards could be put in a lunatic asylum,
instead of being allowed to run foul of sober
people. If they would break their own bones,
and smash their own carts, and lame their own
horses, that would be their own affair, and we

BLACK BEAUTY 277

might let them alone, but it seems to me that
the innocent always suff er ; and then they talk
about compensation! You can't make com
pensation — there's all the trouble, and vexation,
and loss of time, besides losing a good horse
that's like an old friend — it's nonsense talking
of compensation! If there's one devil that I
should like to see in the bottomless pit more
than another, it's the drink devil."

" I say, Jerry," said the Governor, " you are
treading pretty hard on my toes, you know ; I'm
not so good as you are, more shame for me, I
wish I was."

" Well," said Jerry, " why don't you cut with
it, Governor ? you are too good a man to be the
slave of such a thing."

" I'm a great fool, Jerry ; but I tried once for
two days, and I thought I should have died:
how did you do ? "

" I had hard work at it for several weeks ;
you see, I never did get drunk, but I found that
I was not my own master, and that when the
craving came on, it was hard work to say ' no.'
I saw that one of us must knock under — the
drink devil, or Jerry Barker, and I said that it
should not be Jerry Barker, God helping me :
but it was a struggle, and I wanted all the help
I could get, for till I tried to break the habit,

278 BLACK BEAUTY

I did not know how strong it was; but then
Polly took such pains that I should have good
food, and when the craving came on, I used to
get a cup of coffee, or some peppermint, or read
a bit in my book, and that was a help to me :
sometimes I had to say over and over to myself,
' Give up the drink or lose your soul ? Give
up the drink or break Polly's heart ? ' But
thanks be to God, and my dear wife, my chains
were broken, and now for ten years I have not
tasted a drop, and never wish for it."

"I've a great mind to try it," said Grant,
"for 'tis a poor thing not to be one's own
master."

" Do, Governor, do, you'll never repent it,
and what a help it would be to some of the
poor fellows in our rank if they saw you do
without it. I know there's two or three would
like to keep out of that tavern if they could."

At first Captain seemed to do well, but he
was a very old horse, and it was only his won
derful constitution, and Jerry's care, that had
kept him up at the cab-work so long ; now he
broke down very much. The farrier said he
might mend up enough to sell for a few pounds,
but Jerry said, no ! a few pounds got by selling
a good old servant into hard work and misery,
would canker all the rest of his money, and he

BLACK BEAUTY 27Q

thought the kindest thing he could do for the
fine old fellow would be to put a sure bullet
through his heart, and then he would never
suffer more ; for he did not know where to find
a kind master for the rest of his days.

The day after this was decided, Harry took
me to the forge for some new shoes ; when I re
turned, Captain was gone. I and the family
all felt it very much.

Jerry had now to look out for another horse,
and he soon heard of one through an acquaint
ance who was under-groom in a nobleman's
stables. He was a valuable young horse, but
he had run away, smashed into another car
riage, flung his lordship out, and so cut and
blemished himself that he was no longer fit for
a gentleman's stables, and the coachman had
orders to look round, and sell him as well as be
could.

" I can do with high spirits/' said Jerry, " if
a horse is not vicious or hard-mouthed."

" There is not a bit of vice in him," said the
man, " his mouth is very tender, and I think
myself that was the cause of the accident ; you
see he had just been clipped, and the weather
was bad, and he had not had exercise enough,
and when he did go out, he was as full of spring
as a balloon. Our governor (the coachman, I

280 BLACK BEAUTY

mean) had him harnessed in as tight and strong
as he could, with the martingale, and the bear
ing rein, a very sharp curb, and the reins put
in at the bottom bar ; it is my belief that it made
the horse mad, being tender in the mouth and
so full of spirit."

" Likely enough ; I'll come and see him," said
Jerry.

The next day, Hotspur — that was his name —
came home ; he was a fine brown horse, without
a white hair in him, as tall as Captain, with a
very handsome head, and only five years old.
I gave him a friendly greeting by way of good
fellowship, but did not ask him any questions.
The first night he was very restless ; instead of
lying down, he kept jerking his halter rope up
and down through the ring, and knocking the
block about against the manger so that I could
not sleep. However, the next day, after five or
six hours in the cab, he came in quiet and
sensible. Jerry patted and talked to him a good
deal, and very soon they understood each other,
and Jerry said that with an easy bit, and plenty
of work, he would be as gentle as a lamb ; and
that it was an ill wind that blew nobody good,
for if his lordship had lost a hundred-guinea
favourite, the cabman had gained a good horse
with all his strength in him.

BLACK BEAUTY 281

Hotspur thought it a great come down to be a
cab horse, and was disgusted at standing in the
rank, but he confessed to me at the end of the
week, that an easy mouth, and a free hand,
made up for a great deal, and after all, the work
was not so degrading as having one's head and
tail fastened to each other at the saddle. In
fact, he settled in well, and Jerry liked him very
much.

CHAPTER XLV

JERRY'S NEW YEAR

/CHRISTMAS and the New Year are very
VJmerry times for some people ; but for cab
men and cabmen's horses, it is no holiday,
though it may be a harvest. There are so many
parties, balls, and places of amusement open,
that the work is hard and often late. Sometimes
driver and horse have to wait for hours in the
rain or frost, shivering with cold, whilst the
merry people within are dancing away to the
music. I wonder if the beautiful ladies ever
think of the weary cabman waiting on his box,
and his patient beast standing, till his legs get
stiff with cold.

I had now most of the evening work, as I
was well accustomed to standing, and Jerry was
also more afraid of Hotspur taking cold. We
had a great deal of late work in the Christmas
week, and Jerry's cough was bad ; but however
late we were, Polly sat up for him, and came
out with the lantern to meet him, looking
anxious and troubled.

On the evening of the New Year, we had to

282

BLACK BEAUTY 283

take two gentlemen to a house in one of the
West End Squares. We set them down at nine
o'clock and were told to come again at eleven,
" But," said one of them, " as it is a card party,
you may have to wait a few minutes, but don't
be late."

As the clock struck eleven we were at
the door, for Jerry was always punctual. The
clock chimed the quarters — one, two, three,
and then struck twelve, but the door did not
open.

The wind had been very changeable, with
squalls of rain during the day, but now it came
on sharp driving sleet, which seemed to come all
the way round ; it was very cold, and there was
no shelter. Jerry got off his box and came and
pulled one of my cloths a little more over my
neck ; then he took a turn or two up and down,
stamping his feet; then he began to beat his
arms, but that set him off coughing; so he
opened the cab door and sat at the bottom with
his feet on the pavement, and was a little shel
tered. Still the clock chimed the quarters, and
no one came. At half-past twelve, he rang the
bell and asked the servant if he would be
wanted that night.

"Oh! yes, you'll be wanted safe enough,"
said the man, "you must not go, it will

284 BLACK BEAUTY

soon be over," and again Jerry sat down, but
his voice was so hoarse I could hardly hear
him.

At a quarter past one the door opened, and
the two gentlemen came out ; they got into the
cab without a word, and told Jerry whese to
drive, that was nearly two miles. My legs were
numb with cold, and I thought I should have
stumbled. When the men got out, they never
said they were sorry to have kept us waiting so
long, but were angry at the charge : however,
as Jerry never charged more than was
his due, so he never took less, and they
had to pay for the two hours and a quarter
waiting; but it was hard-earned money to
Jerry.

At last we got home ; he could hardly speak,
and his cough was dreadful. Polly asked no
questions, but opened the door and held the
lantern for him.

" Can't I do something ? " she said.

"Yes, get Jack something warm, and then
boil me some gruel."

This was said in a hoarse whisper ; he could
hardly get his breath, but he gave me a rub
down as usual, and even went up into the hay
loft for an extra bundle of straw for my bed.
Poll}T brought me a warm mash that made

BLACK BEAUTY 285

me comfortable, and then they locked the
door.

It was late the next morning before any one
came, and then it was only Harry. He cleaned
us and fed us, and swept out the stalls, then he
put the straw back again as if it was Sunday.
He was very still, and neither whistled nor sang.
At noon he came again, and gave us our food
and water : this time Dolly came with him : she
was crying, and I could gather from what they
said, that Jerry was dangerously ill, and the
doctor said it was a bad case. So two days
passed, and there was great trouble indoors.
We only saw Harry, and sometimes Dolly. I
think she came for company, for Polly was
always with Jerry, and he had to be kept very
quiet

On the third day, whilst Harry was in the
stable, a tap came at the door, and Governor
Grant came in.

" I wouldn't go to the house, my boy," he
said, "but I want to know how your father
is."

" He is very bad," said Harry, " he can't be
much worse ; they call it ' bronchitis ' ; the
doctor thinks it will turn one way or another to
night."

" That's bad, very bad ! " said Grant, shaking

286 BLACK BEAUTY

his head ; " I know two men who died of that
last week ; it takes 'em off in no time ; but whilst
there's life there's hope, so you must keep up
your spirits."

" Yes," said Harry quickly, " and the doctor
said that father had a better chance than most
men, because he didn't drink. He said yester
day the fever was so high, that if father had
been a drinking man, it would have burnt him
up like a piece of paper ; but I believe he thinks
he will get over it ; don't you think he will, Mr.
Grant?"

The Governor looked puzzled.

" If there's any rule that good men should
get over these things, I am sure he will, my
boy; he's the best man I know. I'll look in
early to-morrow."

Early next morning he was there.

"Well? "said he.

"Father is better," said Harry. "Mother
hopes he will get over it."

"Thank God! " said the Governor, "and
now you must keep him warm, and keep his
mind easy, and that brings me to the horses ;
you see, Jack will be all the better for the rest
of a week or two in a warm stable, and you can
easily take him a turn up and down the street
to stretch his legs; but this young one, if he

BLACK BEAUTY 287

does not get work, he will soon be all up on end,
as you may say, and will be rather too much
for you ; and when he does go out, there'll be an
accident."

" It is like that now," said Harry, " I have
kept him short of corn, but he's so full of spirit
I don't know what to do with him."

" Just so," said Grant. " Now look here, will
you tell your mother that if she is agreeable, I
will come for him every day till something is
arranged, and take him for a good spell of work,
and whatever he earns I'll bring your mother
half of it, and that will help with the horses'
feed. Your father is in a good club, I know,
but that won't keep the horses, and they'll be
eating their heads off all this time: I'll
come at noon and hear what she says," and
without waiting for Harry's thanks, he was
gone.

At noon I think he went and saw Polly, for
he and Harry came to the stable together, har
nessed Hotspur and took him out.

For a week or more he came for Hotspur, and
when Harry thanked him or said anything
about his kindness, he laughed it off, saying, it
was all good luck for him, for his horses were
wanting a little rest which they would not other
wise have had.

288 BLACK BEAUTY

Jerry grew better, steadily, but the doctor
said that he must never go back to the cab-work
again if he wished to be an old man. The
children had many consultations together about
what father and mother would do, and how
they could help to earn money.

One afternoon, Hotspur was brought in very
wet and dirty.

" The streets are nothing but slush/' said the
Governor ; " it will give you a good warming,
my boy, to get him clean and dry."

" All right, Governor," said Harry, " I shall
not leave him till he is ; you know I have been
trained by my father."

" I wish all the boys had been trained like
you," said the Governor.

While Harry was sponging off the mud from
Hotspur's body and legs, Dolly came in, look
ing very full of something.

" Who lives at Fairstowe, Harry ? Mother
has got a letter from Fairstowe ; she seemed so
glad, and ran upstairs to father with it."

" Don't you know ? Why, it is the name of
Mrs. Fowler's place — mother's old mistress,
you know — the lady that father met last
summer, who sent you and me five shillings
each."

" Oh ! Mrs. Fowler ; of course I know all

BLACK BEAUTY 289

about her. I wonder what she is writing to
mother about."

" Mother wrote to her last week," said Harry ;
"you know she told father if ever he gave
up the cab-work, she would like to know.
I wonder what she says; run in and see,
Dolly."

Harry scrubbed away at Hotspur with a
huish ! huish ! like any old ostler.

In a few minutes Dolly came dancing into the
stable.

" Oh ! Harry, there never was anything so
beautiful ; Mrs. Fowler says, we are all to go
and live near her. There is a cottage now
empty that will just suit us, with a garden, and
a hen house, and apple trees, and everything !
and her coachman is going away in the spring,
and then she will want father in his place ; and
there are good families round, where you can
get a place in the garden, or the stable, or as a
page boy ; and there's a good school for me ;
and mother is laughing and crying by turns,
and father does look so happy ! '

" That's uncommon jolly," said Harry, " and
just the right thing, I should say ; it will suit
father and mother both; but I don't intend
to be a page boy with tight clothes and
rows of buttons. I'll be a groom or a
40

BLACK BEAUTY

gardener."

It was quickly settled that as soon as Jerry
was well enough, they should remove to the
country, and that the cab and horses should be
sold as soon as possible.

This was heavy news for me, for I was not
young now, and could not look for any im
provement in my condition. Since I left Birt-
wick I had never been so happy as with my
dear master, Jerry; but three years of cab-
work, even under the best conditions, will tell
on one's strength, and I felt that I was not the
horse that I had been.

Grant said at once that he would take Hot
spur; and there were men on the stand who
would have bought me; but Jerry said
I should not go to cab-work again with just
anybody, and the Governor promised to
find a place for me where I should be comfort
able.

The day came for going away. Jerry had
not been allowed to go out yet, and I never saw
him after that New Year's Eve. Polly and the
children came to bid me good-bye. " Poor old
Jack! dear old Jack! I wish we could take
you with us," she said, and then, laying her
hand on my mane, she put her face close to
my neck and kissed me. Dolly was crying

BLACK BEAUTY 2O,I

and kissed me too. Harry stroked me a
great deal, but said nothing, only he seemed
very sad, and so I was led away to my new
place.

PART FOUR

CHAPTER XLVI

JAKES AND THE LADY

I WAS sold to a corn dealer and baker, whom
Jerry knew, and with him he thought I
should have good food and fair work. In the
first he was quite right, and if my master had
always been on the premises, I do not think I
should have been over-loaded ; but there was
a foreman who was always hurrying and driv
ing every one, and frequently when I had quite
a full load, he would order something else to be
taken on. My carter, whose name was Jakes,
often said it was more than I ought to take, but
the other always overruled him: "Twas no
use going twice when once would do, and he
chose to get business forward."

Jakes, like the other carters, always had the
bearing rein up, which prevented me from
drawing easily, and by the time I had been
there three or four months, I found the work
telling very much on my strength.

One day, I was loaded more than usual, and
part of the road was a steep uphill : I used all
my strength, but I could not get on, and was

295

20,6 BLACK BEAUTY

obliged continually to stop. This did not please
my driver, and he laid his whip on badly.
" Get on, you lazy fellow," he said, " or I'll
make you."

Again I started the heavy load, and struggled
on a few yards ; again the whip came down, and
again I struggled forward. The pain of that
great cart whip was sharp, but my mind was
hurt quite as much as my poor sides. To be
punished and abused when I was doing my
very best was so hard, it took the heart out of
me. A third time he was flogging me cruelly,
when a lady stepped quickly up to him, and
said in a sweet, earnest voice —

" Oh ! pray do not whip your good horse
any more ; I am sure he is doing all he can,
and the road is very steep, I am sure he is
doing his best."

" If doing his best won't get this load up, he
must do something more than his best ; that's
all I know, ma'am," said Jakes.

" But is it not a very heavy load ? " she
said.

" Yes, yes, too heavy," he said, " but that's
not my fault, the foreman came just as we
were starting, and would have three hundred
weight more put on to save him trouble, and
I must get on with it as well as I can."

BLACK BEAUTY 2Q7

He was raising the whip again, when the lady
said —

" Pray, stop, I think I can help you if you
will let me."

The man laughed.

' You see," she said, " you do not give him
a fair chance ; he cannot use all his power with
his head held back as it is with that bearing
rein; if you would take it off, I am sure he
would do better — do try it," she said per
suasively, " I should be very glad if you
would."

" Well, well," said Jakes, with a short laugh,
" anything to please a lady of course. How far
would you wish it down, ma'am ? "

" Quite down, give him his head altogether."

The rein was taken off, and in a moment I
put my head down to my very knees. What a
comfort it was ! Then I tossed it up and down
several times to get the aching stiffness out of
my neck.

" Poor fellow ! that is what you wanted," said
she, patting and stroking me with her gentle
hand ; " and now if you will speak kindly to
him and lead him on, I believe he will be able
to do better."

Jakes took the rein — "Come on, Blackie."
I put down my head, and threw my whole
40*

298 BLACK BEAUTY

weight against the collar ; I spared no strength ;
the load moved on, and I pulled it steadily up
the hill, and then stopped to take breath.

The lady had walked along the footpath, and
now came across into the road. She stroked
and patted my neck, as I had not been patted
for many a long day.

"You see he was quite willing when you
gave him the chance ; I am sure he is a tine-
tempered creature, and I dare say has known
better days. You won't put that rein on again,
will you ? " for he was just going to hitch it up
on the old plan.

" Well, ma'am, I can't deny that having his
head has helped him up the hill, and I'll re
member it another time, and thank you,
ma'am ; but if he went without a bearing rein,
I should be the laughing stock of all the carters ;
it is the fashion, you see."

" Is it not better," she said, " to lead a good
fashion, than to follow a bad one? A great
many gentlemen do not use bearing reins now ;
our carriage horses have not worn them for
fifteen years, and work with much less fatigue
than those who have them ; besides," she added
in a very serious voice, " we have no right to
distress any of God's creatures without a very
good reason ; we call them dumb animals, and

BLACK BEAUTY 2QQ

so they are, for they cannot tell us how they
feel, but they do not suffer less because they
have no words. But I must not detain you
now ; I thank you for trying my plan with your
good horse, and I am sure you will find it far
better than the whip. Good-day," and with
another soft pat on my neck, she stepped lightly
across the path, and I saw her no more.

" That was a real lady, I'll be bound for it,"
said Jakes to himself ; " she spoke just as polite
as if I was a gentleman, and I'll try her plan,
uphill, at any rate ; " and I must do him the
justice to say, that he let my rein out several
holes, and going uphill after that he always
gave me my head ; but the heavy loads went
on. Good feed and fair rest will keep up one's
strength under full work, but no horse can stand
against overloading ; and I was getting so thor
oughly pulled down from this cause, that a
younger horse was brought in my place. I may
as well mention here what I suffered at this
time from another cause. I had heard horses
speak of it, but had never myself had experi
ence of the evil ; this was a badly-lighted stable ;
there was only one very small window at the
end, and the consequence was that the stalls
were almost dark.

Besides the depressing effect this had on my

300 BLACK BEAUTY

spirits, it very much weakened my sight, and
when I was suddenly brought out of the dark
ness into the glare of daylight, it was very pain
ful to my eyes. Several times I stumbled over
the threshold, and could scarcely see where I
was going.

I believe, had I stayed there very long, I
should have become purblind, and that would
have been a great misfortune, for I have heard
men say, that a stone-blind horse was safer to
drive than one which had imperfect sight, as it
generally makes them very timid. However, I
escaped without any permanent injury to my
sight, and was sold to a large cab owner.

CHAPTER XLVII

HARD TIMES

I SHALL never forget my new master ; he had
black eyes and a hooked nose, his mouth
was as full of teeth as a bull-dog's, and his voice
was as harsh as the grinding of cart wheels over
gravel stones. His name was Nicholas Skin
ner, and I believe he was the same man that
poor Seedy Sam drove for.

I have heard men say, that seeing is believ
ing ; but I should say that feeling is believing ;
for much as I had seen before, I never knew till
now the utter misery of a cab horse's life.

Skinner had a low set of cabs and a low set
of drivers ; he was hard on the men, and the
men were hard on the horses. In this place we
had no Sunday rest, and it was in the heat of
summer.

Sometimes on a Sunday morning, a party of
fast men would hire the cab for the day ; four
of them inside and another with the driver, and
I had to take them ten or fifteen miles out into
the country, and back again : never would any
of them get down to walk up a hill, let it be ever

301

302 BLACK BEAUTY

so steep, or the day ever so hot — unless indeed,
when the driver was afraid I should not manage
it, and sometimes I was so fevered and worn
that I could hardly touch my food. How I used
to long for the nice bran mash with nitre in
it that Jerry used to give us on Saturday nights
in hot weather, that used to cool us down and
make us so comfortable. Then we had two
nights and a whole day for unbroken rest, and
on Monday morning we were as fresh as young
horses again ; but here, there was no rest, and
my driver was just as hard as his master. He
had a cruel whip with something so sharp at
the end that it sometimes drew blood, and he
would even whip me under the belly, and flip
the lash out at my head. Indignities like these
took the heart out of me terribly, but still I
did my best and never hung back ; for, as poor
Ginger said, it was no use; men are the
strongest.

My life was now so utterly wretched, that I
wished I might, like Ginger, drop down dead
at my work, and be out of my misery ; and one
day my wish very nearly came to pass.

I went on the stand at eight in the morning,
and had done a good share of work, when we
had to take a fare to the railway. A long train
was just expected in, so my driver pulled up at

BLACK BEAUTY 303

the back of some of the outside cabs, to take
the chance of a return fare. It was a very heavy
train, and as all the cabs were soon engaged,
ours was called for. There was a party of four ;
a noisy, blustering man with a lady, a little boy,
and a young girl, and a great deal of luggage.
The lady and the boy got into the cab, and
while the man ordered about the luggage, the
young girl came and looked at me.

" Papa," she said, " I am sure this poor horse
cannot take us and all our luggage so far, he is
so very weak and worn out ; do look at him/'

" Oh ! he's all right, miss/' said my driver,
" he's strong enough."

The porter, who was pulling about some
heavy boxes, suggested to the gentleman, as
there was so much luggage, whether he would
not take a second cab.

" Can your horse do it, or can't he ? " said
the blustering man.

" Oh ! he can do it all right, sir ; send up the
boxes, porter : he could take more than that,"
and he helped to haul up a box so heavy that
I could feel the springs go down.

"Papa, papa, do take a second cab," said
the young girl in a beseeching tone ; " I am sure
we are wrong, I am sure it is very cruel."

" Nonsense, Grace, get in at once, and don't

304 BLACK BEAUTY

make all this fuss ; a pretty thing it would be
if a man of business had to examine every cab
horse before he hired it — the man knows his
own business of course : there, get in and hold
your tongue! '

My gentle friend had to obey ; and box after
box was dragged up and lodged on the top of
the cab, or settled by the side of the driver. At
last all was ready, and with his usual jerk at
the rein, and slash of the whip, he drove out of
the station.

The load was very heavy, and I had had
neither food nor rest since the morning ; but I
did my best, as I always had done, in spite
of cruelty and injustice.

I got along fairly till we came to Ludgate
Hill, but there, the heavy load and my own ex
haustion were too much. I was struggling to
keep on, goaded by constant chucks of the rein
and use of the whip, when, in a single moment
— I cannot tell how — my feet slipped from
under me, and I fell heavily to the ground on
my side; the suddenness and the force with
which I fell, seemed to beat all the breath out
of my body. I lay perfectly still ; indeed, I had
no power to move, and I thought now I was
going to die. I heard a sort of confusion round
me, loud angry voices, and the getting down

BLACK BEAUTY 305

of the luggage, but it was all like a dream. I
thought I heard that sweet pitiful voice saying,
" Oh ! that poor horse ! it is all our fault." Some
one came and loosened the throat strap of my
bridle, and undid the traces which kept the
collar so tight upon me. Some one said, " He's
dead, he'll never get up again." Then I could
hear a policeman giving orders, but I did not
even open my eyes ; I could only draw a gasp
ing breath now and then. Some cold water
was thrown over my head, and some cordial
was poured into my mouth, and something was
covered over me. I cannot tell how long I lay
there, but I found my life coming back, and a
kind-voiced man was patting me and encour
aging me to rise. After some more cordial had
been given me, and after one or two attempts,
I staggered to my feet, and was gently led to
some stables which were close by. Here I was
put into a well-littered stall, and some warm
gruel was brought to me, which I drank thank
fully.

In the evening I was sufficiently recovered to
be led back to Skinner's stables, where I think
they did the best for me they could. In the
morning Skinner came with a farrier to look
at me. He examined me very closely, and
said —

BLACK BEAUTY

"This is a case of overwork more than
disease, and if you could give him a run off for
six months, he would be able to work again ;
but now there is not an ounce of strength in
him."

"Then he must just go to the dogs," said
Skinner, " I have no meadows to nurse sick
horses in — he might get well or he might not ;
that sort of thing don't suit my business. My
plan is to work 'em as long as they'll go, and
then sell 'em for what they'll fetch, at the
knacker's or elsewhere."

" If he was broken-winded," said the farrier,
" you had better have him killed out of hand,
but he is not ; there is a sale of horses coming
off in about ten days ; if you rest him and feed
him up, he may pick up, and you may get
more than his skin is worth, at any rate."

Upon this advice, Skinner rather unwillingly,
I think, gave orders that I should be well fed
and cared for, and the stable man, happily for
me, carried out the orders with a much better
will than his master had in giving them. Ten
days of perfect rest, plenty of good oats, hay,
bran mashes, with boiled linseed mixed in
them, did more to get up my condition than
anything else could have done; those linseed
mashes were delicious, and I began to think,

BLACK BEAUTY 3<D7

after all, it might be better to live than go to
the dogs. When the twelfth day after the acci
dent came, I was taken to the sale, a few miles
out of London. I felt that any change from
my present place must be an improvement, so I
held up my head, and hoped for the best.

CHAPTER XLVIII

FARMER THOROUGHGOOD AND HIS GRANDSON
WILLIE

AT this sale, of course I found myself in
JL\ company with the old broken-down horses
— some lame, some broken-winded, some old,
and some that I am sure it would have been
merciful to shoot.

The buyers and sellers too, many of them,
looked not much better off than the poor beasts
they were bargaining about. There were poor
old men, trying to get a horse or pony for a
few pounds, that might drag about some little
wood or coal cart. There were poor men try
ing to sell a worn-out beast for two or three
pounds, rather than have the greater loss of
killing him. Some of them looked as if poverty
and hard times had hardened them all over;
but there were others that I would have will
ingly used the last of my strength in serving ;
poor and shabby, but kind and human, with
voices that I could trust. There was one totter
ing old man that took a great fancy to me,

and I to him, but I was not strong enough — it

308

BLACK BEAUTY 3OQ

was an anxious time ! Coming from the better
part of the fair, I noticed a man who looked
like a gentleman farmer, with a young boy by
his side ; he had a broad back and round shoul
ders, a kind, ruddy face, and he wore a broad-
brimmed hat. When he came up to me
and my companions, he stood still, and
gave a pitiful look round upon us. I saw
his eye rest on me ; I had still a good mane
and tail, which did something for my ap
pearance. I pricked my ears and looked at
him.

" There's a horse, Willie, that has known
better days."

" Poor old fellow ! " said the boy, " do you
think, grandpapa, he was ever a carriage
horse?"

" Oh yes ! my boy," said the farmer, coming
closer, " he might have been anything when he
was young; look at his nostrils and his ears,
the shape of his neck and shoulder; there's a
deal of breeding about that horse." He put out
his hand and gave me a kind pat on the neck.
I put out my nose in answer to his kindness ;
the boy stroked my face.

" Poor old fellow ! see, grandpapa, how well
he understands kindness. Could not you buy
him and make him young again, as you did

310 BLACK BEAUTY

with Ladybird?"

" My dear boy, I can't make all old
horses young; besides, Ladybird was not so
very old, as she was run down and badly
used."

" Well, grandpapa, I don't believe that this
one is old; look at his mane and tail.
I wish you would look into his mouth, and
then you could tell; though he is so very
thin, his eyes are not sunk like some old
horses'."

The old gentleman laughed. "Bless the
boy! he is as horsey as his old grand
father."

" But do look at his mouth, grandpapa, and
ask the price ; I am sure he would grow young
in our meadows."

The man who had brought me for sale now
put in his word.

" The young gentleman's a real knowing one,
sir ; now the fact is, this 'ere hoss is just pulled
down with overwork in the cabs ; he's not an
old one, and I heerd as how the vetenary
should say, that a six months' run off would
set him right up, being as how his wind was
not broken. I've had the tending of him these
ten days past, and a gratefuller, pleasanter
animal I never met with, and 'twould be worth

BLACK BEAUTY 311

a gentleman's while to give a five-pound note
for him, and let him have a chance. I'll be
bound he'd be worth twenty pounds next
spring."

The old gentleman laughed, and the little boy
looked up eagerly.

" Oh, grandpapa, did you not say, the colt
sold for five pounds more than you expected ?
you would not be poorer if you did buy this
one."

The farmer slowly felt my legs, which
were much swelled and strained; then he
looked at my mouth — " Thirteen or four
teen, I should say; just trot him out, will
you?"

I arched my poor thin neck, raised my tail
a little, and threw out my legs as well as I could,
for they were very stiff.

" What is the lowest you will take for him ? "
said the farmer as I came back.

" Five pounds, sir ; that was the lowest price
my master set."

" Tis a speculation," said the old gentleman,
shaking his head, but at the same time slowly
drawing out his purse — "quite a specula
tion ! Have you any more business here ? "
he said, counting the sovereigns into his
hand.

312 BLACK BEAUTY

" No, sir, I can take him for you to the inn,
if you please."

" Do so, I am now going there."

They walked forward, and I was led behind.
The boy could hardly control his delight, and
the old gentleman seemed to enjoy his pleasure.
I had a good feed at the inn, and was then
gently ridden home by a servant of my new
master's and turned into a large meadow with
a shed in one corner of it.

Mr. Thoroughgood, for that was the name of
my benefactor, gave orders that I should have
hay and oats every night and morning,
and the run of the meadow during the day,
and "you, Willie," said he, "must take the
oversight of him; I give him in charge to
you."

The boy was proud of his charge, and under
took it in all seriousness. There was not a day
when he did not pay me a visit; sometimes
picking me out from amongst the other horses,
and giving me a bit of carrot, or something
good, or sometimes standing by me whilst I ate
my oats. He always came with kind words and
caresses, and of course I grew very fond of
him. He called me Old Crony, as I
used to come to him in the field and
follow him about. Sometimes he brought

BLACK BEAUTY 313

his grandfather, who always looked closely at
my legs —

" This is our point, Willie," he would say ;
" but he is improving so steadily that I think
we shall see a change for the better in the
spring."

The perfect rest, the good food, the soft turf,
and gentle exercise, soon began to tell on my
condition and my spirits. I had a good consti
tution from my mother, and I was never
strained when I was young, so that I had a
better chance than many horses, who have been
worked before they came to their full strength.
During the winter my legs improved so much,
that I began to feel quite young again. The
spring came round, and one day in March, Mr.
Thoroughgood determined that he would try
me in the phaeton. I was well pleased, and he
and Willie drove me a few miles. My legs were
not stiff now, and I did the work with perfect
ease.

" He's growing young, Willie ; we must give
him a little gentle work now, and by midsum
mer he will be as good as Ladybird : he has a
beautiful mouth, and good paces, they can't be
better."

" Oh ! grandpapa, how glad I am you bought
him ! "

314 BLACK BEAUTY

" So am I, my boy, but he has to thank you
more than me ; we must now be looking out for
a quiet genteel place for him, where he will be
valued."

CHAPTER XLIX

MY LAST HOME

ONE day during this summer, the groom
cleaned and dressed me with such extra
ordinary care, that I thought some new change
must be at hand ; he trimmed my fetlocks and
legs, passed the tarbrush over my hoofs, and
even parted my forelock. I think the harness
had an extra polish. Willie seemed half
anxious, half merry as he got into the chaise
with his grandfather.

" If the ladies take to him/' said the old gen
tleman, " they'll be suited, and he'll be suited :
we can but try."

At the distance of a mile or two from the
village, we came to a pretty, low house, with a
lawn and shrubbery at the front, and a drive
up to the door. Willie rang the bell, and asked
if Miss Blomefield, or Miss Ellen was at home.
Yes, they were. So, whilst Willie stayed with
me, Mr. Thoroughgood went into the house. In
about ten minutes he returned, followed by three
ladies ; one tall, pale lady, wrapped in a white
shawl, leaned on a younger lady, with dark

315

3l6 BLACK BEAUTY

eyes and a merry face ; the other, a very stately-
looking person, was Miss Blomefield. They all
came and looked at me and asked questions.
The younger lady — that was Miss Ellen — took
to me very much ; she said she was sure she
should like me, I had such a good face. The
tall, pale lady said that she should always be
nervous in riding behind a horse that had
once been down, as I might come down again,
and if I did, she should never get over the
fright.

'You see, ladies," said Mr. Thoroughgood,
" many first-rate horses have had their knees
broken through the carelessness of their drivers,
without any fault of their own, and from what
I see of this horse, I should say, that is his case :
but of course I do not wish to influence you.
If you incline, you can have him on trial, and
then your coachman will see what he thinks of
him."

" You have always been such a good adviser
to us about our horses," said the stately lady,
" that your recommendation would go a long
way with me, and if my sister Lavinia sees no
objection, we will accept your offer of a trial,
with thanks."

It was then arranged that I should be sent
for the next day.

BLACK BEAUTY 317

In the morning a smart-looking young man
came for me; at first he looked pleased; but
when he saw my knees, he said in a disap
pointed voice —

" I didn't think, sir, you would have recom
mended my ladies a blemished horse like that."

"Handsome is — that handsome does," said
my master ; " you are only taking him on trial,
and I am sure you will do fairly by him, young
man, and if he is not as safe as any horse you
ever drove, send him back."

I was led home, placed in a comfortable
stable, fed, and left to myself. The next day,
when my groom was cleaning my face, he
said —

" That is just like the star that Black Beauty
had, he is much the same height too ; I wonder
where he is now."

A little further on, he came to the place in
my neck where I was bled, and where a little
knot was left in the skin. He almost started,
and began to look me over carefully, talking to
himself.

" White star in the forehead, one white foot
on the off side, this little knot just in that
place " ; then looking at the middle of my back
— " and as I am alive, there is that little patch
of white hair that John used to call ' Beauty's

3*8 BLACK BEAUTY

threepenny bit.' It must be Black Beauty!
Why, Beauty ! Beauty ! do you know me ? little
Joe Green, that almost killed you ? " And he
began patting and patting me as if he was quite
overjoyed.

I could not say that I remembered him, for
now he was a fine grown young fellow, with
black whiskers and a man's voice, but I was
sure he knew me, and that he was Joe Green,
and I was very glad. I put my nose up to
him, and tried to say that we were friends. I
never saw a man so pleased.

"Give you a fair trial! I should think so
indeed! I wonder who the rascal was that
broke your knees, my old Beauty! you must
have been badly served out somewhere ; well,
well, it won't be my fault if you haven't good
times of it now. I wish John Manly was here
to see you."

In the afternoon I was put into a low Park
chair and brought to the door. Miss Ellen was
going to try me, and Green went with her. I
soon found that she was a good driver, and she
seemed pleased with my paces. I heard Joe
telling her about me, and that he was sure I
was Squire Gordon's old Black Beauty.

When we returned, the other sisters came out
to hear how I had behaved myself. She told

BLACK BEAUTY 319

them what she had just heard, and said —

" I shall certainly write to Mrs. Gordon, and
tell her that her favourite horse has come to us.
How pleased she will be ! '

After this I was driven every day for a week
or so, and as I appeared to be quite safe, Miss
Lavinia at last ventured out in the small close
carriage. After this it was quite decided to
keep me and call me by my old name of " Black
Beauty."

I have now lived in this happy place a whole
year. Joe is the best and kindest of grooms.
My work is easy and pleasant, and I feel my
strength and spirits all coming back again. Mr.
Thoroughgood said to Joe the other day —

" In your place he will last till he is twenty
years old — perhaps more."

Willie always speaks to me when he can, and
treats me as his special friend. My ladies have
promised that I shall never be sold, and so I
have nothing to fear ; and here my story ends.
My troubles are all over, and I am at home ; and
often before I am quite awake, I fancy I am
still in the orchard at Birtwick standing with
my old friends under the apple trees.

MADE AND PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY

HAZELL, WATSON AND VINEY, LTD.

LONDON AND AYLESBURY

Cl

University of California

AN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY
Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1388
Return this material to the library
from which tt was borrowed

•

L i.

I

UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY

A 000133434 1